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THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  ILLINOIS 

LIBRARY 

ILLINOIS  HISTORICAL  SURVEY 


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Tallula,  Menard  County,  Illinois. 
— -♦♦♦ 

I  have  always  on  hand  a  large  and  well  selected 

stock   of 

Fruit,  Shade  &  Ornamental  Trees 

Creen  House  and  Bedding  Plants, 

This  is  the  only  Nursery  in  the  West  where  you 
can  procure  the  Dwarf  Desert  Plum,  which 
bears  equal  to  the  Gooseberry,  and  is  not  injured 
by  the  Curculio.  I  have  also  a  large  stock  of  the 
Alexander  and  Amsden  June  Peaches,  the  ear- 
liest peaches  grown.  Also  Huckelberries  in 
abundance.  The  Thornless  Blackberry  has 
no  thorns  to  lacerate  your  face  or  hands,  or' tear 
your  clothes ;  several  thousand  plants  for  sale. 

I  have  a  large  stock  of  the  above,  all  propogated 
by  myself,  and  warranted  true  to  name,  which  I 
will  sell  at  reasonable  rates. 

If  my  Agents  do  not  call  on  you,  send  your 
address  to  me  for  price  lists  and  circulars. 


[OTTO    IS 

to  sell  good  stock  at  reasonable  rates  and  guaran- 
tee satisfaction  to  all  favoring  me  with  their  pat- 
ronage. J$tH=*Correspondence  solicited  from  all 
needing  Nursery  Stock  of  any  description. 

For  price  lists,  circulars,  and  all  information, 
Address  E.  W.  REDIItfG, 

Box  82,  Tallula,  Menard,  Co.,  III. 


CHEAPEST  BOOKSTORE  III  CENTRAL  ILLINOIS! 


FRANK  SIMMONS, 

Bookseller,  Stationer  I  Newsdealer 

206  south  Sixth  Street. 

SPRINGFIELD,    :    :    ILLINOIS. 


— :SPECIALTIES:— 

Gift  Books, 

Albums,  Bibles, 

School  Supplies, 
Singing  Books, 

Blank  Books  § 

Fine  Stationery. 


i-'oK  SCHOOL  SUPPLIES. 


Orders  by  m nil  />rom /ifl;/  attended  to,  <iu<l  prices 
furnished,  on  any  hook  published. 


DE.  JNO.  MARENBURG, 


¥  f^ 


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HA.V^ISr^,   ILLINOIS. 


In  the  strict  performance  of  his  duty  as  a  physician 

he  will  try  to  gain  the  good  will  of  his 

fellow  citizens. 


OFFICE  AND  RESIDENCE  ON  ORANGE  ST. 


PAUL    O. 


I 


BIGGS  STATION,  ILLS. 


©AJL 


DBAUB  I 


SALT,    LIME,    ETC 


-»-♦♦- 


Highest  Price  Paid  for  Grain  and  Produce. 

j±  stock:  oit- 

GROCERIES, 

AT  LOWEST  CASH  PRICES. 


Quick  Sales  and  Small  Profits. 


STEP!EIS#EF  &  W4SLFELB, 

PPILGROCER 


- 


Market  St.,  bet.  Plum  and  Orttnf/e, 

HAVANA,    ILLINOIS. 

Take  this  method  of  informing  the  public  that  they  will  sell 

Teas.  Coffees.  Sugars,    Glassware.    Queensware, 

Woodenware,  Table  Cittlcrij.  PoeJcet  Catlerij 

Canned  Fruits,  Dried  Fruits,  and 

T  O  IB  .A.  CD  O  O 


Of  all  kinds,  for  the 

Lowest  Cash   Prices, 

That  can  be  offered  in  the  City. 
WE  ARE  AGENTS  FOR  THE   WELL  AND  FAVORABLY  KNOWN 

MeH4EE1PS  XEM&S  W&QWBL, 

Corn  Meal,  and  all  kinds  of  Chopped  Feed. 

A  FULL  LINE  OF  NAILS  ALWAYS  ON  HAND. 

STEPHENSON  &  WAHLFELD. 


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O.    C.    TOWN, 

DEALER    I3KT 

WATCHES,  6L0GKS,  JEWELRY, 

Silverware,  Spectacles,  Gold  Pens,  &c. 

Silverware  Replated. 

ENGRAVING  FINELY  EXECUTED. 


I  sell    no  cheap,   worthless    goods ;  every  article 
warranted  strictly  as   represented. 


SPECIAL    ATTENTION    GIVEN    TO 

iENIRIK  WITCHES,  CLOCKS  AND  JEWELRY 


ALSO    DEALER    IN" 

German  Accordeons,  Violins,  Guitars,  Flutes  and 

Fifes,  a  full  line  of  Violin  and   Guitar 

Strings   and   Trimmings. 

SHEET    MUSIC,    lfOa 

Main  Street,  Havana,  Illinois. 

O.   G.   TO  WW. 


Strickle  Bros'  Store, 


Sign  of  the 


Is  the  Headquarters  tor  the 

OLD  SETTtmS 

AND    THE 

YOUNG  SITTMBS 

Of  Mason  county  to  buy  their 

DRY  GOODS,  CLOTHING, 

BOOTS,  SHOES,  &C., 

— w  o  m    O^SH  I — 

AT  THE 

Cash  Buyer's  Hard-Pan  Prices! 


-♦♦♦- 


AVE  ARE  THE 

Ohettp  Cfa^li  Stop® 

OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


No.   39    MAIN    STREET, 

HAVANA,   ILL. 

STRICKLE  BROS. 


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Kast  Corner  Public  Square. 


PEORIA,    ILLS 


OHAS.  H.  DEAN,  Proprietor. 


II 


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P. 


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$2,  $2.50  AND  $3  PER  DAY, 


According  to  Size  and  Location  of  Room. 


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THERE  IS  MOSEY  OIL 


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INDEX 


PAGE. 

Title  page i 

Preface 3 

Introductory 8 

Historical  events # r  i 

Sketch  of  the  early  history  of  Illinois 15 

Forests  of  Illinois 21 

Illinois  river  and  tributaries 22 

Sangamon  river  and  tributaries 25 

Productions  of  Illinois 26 

Sangamon,  Menard  and  Tazewell  counties 28 

Mason  county 20 

Mason  county  Postoffices 30. 

Salt  Creek  township 40 

Lynchburg  township 43 

Forest  City 44 

Crop  statistics  in  1853 46 

Geology  of  Mason  county, 52 

Treelessness  of  the  Prairies 67 

Early  efforts  at  fruit  growing 73 

Havana,  History  of * 80 

Meteorological 86 

Mason  City,  History  of. 101 

Biographical    118 

Benevolent  Orders 230 

Newspapers  of  Mason  county 234 

Railroads  of  Mason  county 256 

Educational 266 

County  Poor  Farm 274 

Military  History 277 

,  Conclusion — The  Pioneer 347 


CENTENNIAL  HISTORY 


OF 


MASON    COUNTY, 


INCLUDING  A 


SKETCH  OF  THE  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS, 


ITS 


PHYSICAL  PECULIARITIES,  SOILS,  CLI- 
MA  TE,  PROD  UC  Tl  ONS,  E  TC. 


BY 


JOSEPH   COCHRANE. 


■♦»» 


SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.: 

rokker's  steam  printing  house. 

1876. 


a  PREFACE. 

1 

o 

The  origin  and  the  object  of  this  work  is  best  set  forth  in   the 
-  following  documents  and  proceedings.     The  work  was  engaged  in 
\~i  by  the  writer  without  fully  comprehending  the  undertaking  before 
-—  him ;  but,  as  new  subjects  and  new  interests  have  presented  them- 
selves, we  have  assumed  to  present  them  to  the  people  fully,  in  the 
belief  that  the  intelligent  reading  and  appreciative  people  of  Mason 
county  will  appreciate  our  efforts. 

The  scientific  features  of  the  work  have  been  supplied  by  the 
—State  Geologists  of  Illinois  and  of  Michigan.  To  these  gentlemen 
—we  are  under  obligations  for  their  assistance  in  "Exploring  the  hills 
£of  scientific  truth  that  shade  the  landscapes  of  eternity." 

It  has  been  our  aim  and  our  ambition,  in  the  following  woi'k,  to 

j.«cgive   facts,  and  facts  only  /    to   ignore   our   individual   opinions. 

''With  Dr.  Gall  we  can  say :  "  That  one  fact  is  with  me  more  positive 

-^and     decisive    than    a    thousand    methaphysical    opinions."       Our 

^opinions  and  our  own  preferences  are  not  history.     In  the  Biograph- 

jj3ca\  Department  of  the  work  we  have  found  it  necessary  to  practice 

fl  a  large  amount  of  self  denial.     After  a  residence  of  over  twenty 

"years  in  Mason  county,  and  the  friendships  formed  in   that  long 

^period  of  time,  we  find  it  difficult,  in  writing  personal  sketches  of 

\)old  friends  and  neighbors,  to  say  much  of  them    historically  and 

Restrain    feelings  engendered    by  their  long  personal    friendships. 

>EIow  well  this  has  been  done  the  public  must  be  the  judge.     With 

J  the  sentiment,  rendered  immortal  by  the  late  President  Lincoln,  for 

- — "Our  guide,  we  cannot  be  far  wrong:     "  With   charity  to  at/,  and 

^malice  towards  none"     For  the  military  history  of  the  county  we 

acknowledge  our  indebtedness  to  Adj.  Gen.  Hillyer,  of  Springfield, 

Illinois,  through  whose    promptness  and  kindness  we  have  been 

furnished  with  the  very  full  and  perfect  details  which  we  have  been 


Ql  -;-;39 


HISTORY  OF    MASOX  COUNTY. 


enabled  to  give.  We  arc  also  under  large  obligations  to  Mr. 
Ludlam,  of  the  Secretary  of  State's  office,  for  documents  and  data 
no  where  else  obtainable.  Also,  to  a  careful  and  judicious  use  of 
"paste  and  scissors,"  for  some  of  the  most  valuabjc  extracts.  In  the 
defence  of  this  I  can  only  say,  it  is  the  general  usage  of  writers. 
A  noted  author  says:  "I  am  not  ashamed  to  borrow  to  enrich  my 
own  history."  My  own  credit,  if  any  shall  he,  in  uniting  the  links 
to  form  a  chain. 

We  are  indebted,  also,  for  information  and  assistance,  to  numer- 
ous individuals  in  every  part  of  the  county,  and  to  acknowledge  all 
would  necessitate  the  publication  of  a  county  directory.  All  will 
please  accept  our  thanks.  This  work  has  been  assigned  us  without 
our  solicitation,  and  we  arc  thus  under  obligations  to  do  a  work 
creditable  alike  to  all,  more  than  could  be  placed  upon  us  by  any 
pecuniary  reward. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Clarion,  of  Havana,  pub- 
lished by  S.  Wheadon,  and  was  our  first  notification  of  the  work: 

"History  of  Mason  County. — We  understand  that  many  of 
our  citizens  have  spoken  favorably  of  our  townsman,  J.  Cochrane, 
Esq.,  to  prepare  a  history  of  Mason  county,  to  be  filed  at  our 
national  capitol,  in  pursuance  of  the  recommendation  of  their  Gov- 
ernor. We  earnestly  hope  that  Mr.  Cochrane  may  be  appointed 
for  the  work — being  an  old  citizen,  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
geography,  soil  and  products  of  our  county,  and  withal  an  interest- 
ing writer.     We  know  of  no  one  who  is  better  fitted  for  the  task." 

In  pursuance  of  previous  call,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  court 
house  on  the  evening  of  May  2y,  to  make  arrangements  for  the 
celebration  of  the  approaching  Centennial  Anniversary.  The 
meeting  was  called  to  order  by  I.  N.  Mitchell,  Mayor  of  Havana. 
Major  H.  Fullerton  was  elected  Chairman,  and  F.  Ketchum  and 
S.  Wheadon,  Secretaries.  The  Chairman  addressed  the  audience 
iu  an  able,  patriotic  speech,  which  elicited   much  applause. 

Mr.  J.  Cochrane  offered  the  following,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Conference  with  other  towns 
be  instructed  to  use  every  dibit  to  obtain  the  co-operation  of  every 
and  each  individual  town  in  the  county  for  a  grand  County  Cen- 
tennial Celebration  on  the  coming  anniversary  of  our  National 
Independence,  in  conformity  to  the  resolution  of  the  Legislature, 
and  the  proclamation  of  the  Governor. 

Hon.  J.  A.  Mallory  offered  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  recommend  the  appointment  of 
Joseph    Cochrane   to   write    the    History    of    Mason    county,   in    ac- 


PREFACE. 


cordance  with  the  proclamation  of  the  Governor,  and  that  an  appro- 
priation be  made  by  our  Board  of  Supervisors  to  defray  the  neces- 
sary expenses  of  the  same. 

Remarks  on  the  above  were  made  by  Major  Fullerton  and 
F.  Ketchum,  favoring-  the  resolution,  which  was  unanimously 
adopted. 

On  motion  of  H.  A.  Wright,  Esq.,  Mr.  J.  R.  Foster  was  elected 
Treasurer. 

On  motion  of  J.  M.  Ruggles,  Esq.,  the  Board  of  Aldermen  of 
this  city  were  requested  to  appropriate  from  three  to  five  hundred 
dollars  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  celebration. 

It  was  moved  and  carried  that  these  proceedings  be  published  in 

the  papers  of  Mason  county,  and  this  meeting  stand  adjourned  to 

next  Friday  night. 

H.  Fullerton,  Chairman. 

F.  Ketcham,    )   0         , 

e    1T7  >•  -Secretaries. 

S.  Wheadon,    \ 

The  origin  of  Centennial  County  Histories  is  contained  in  the 
following  resolution  of  Congress,  approved  March  3,  1876: 

Joint  resolution  on  the  celebration  of  the  Centennial  in  the  sev- 
eral counties  or  towns: 

Be  it  resolved  by  the  Se?iate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled,  That  it  be 
and  is  hereby  recommended  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Represen- 
tatives, to  the  people  of  the  several  States,  that  they  assemble  in 
their  several  counties  or  towns  on  the  approaching  Centennial 
anniversary  of  our  National  Independence,  and  that  they  cause  to 
have  delivered  on  such  a  day  an  historical  sketch  of  said  county  or 
town  from  its  formation,  and  that  a  copy  of  said  sketch  may  he 
filed,  in  print  or  manuscript,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  said  county, 
and  an  additional  copy,  in  print  or  manuscript,  be  filed  in  the  office 
of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  to  the  intent  that  a  complete  record 
may  thus  be  obtained  of  the  progress  of  our  institutions  during  the 
first  centennial  of  their  existence.     Approved  March  13,  1S76. 

On  the  25th  of  April,  1876,  Governor  Beveridge  issued  the  fol- 
lowing proclamation : 

To  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  Greeting" : 

Whereas,  The  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representatives  have 
issued,  and  the  President  of  the  United  States  has  approved,  a 
joint  resolution  on  the  celebration  of  the  Centennial  in  the  several 
counties  or  towns,  which  joint  resolution  is  as  follows,  viz: 

Be  it  resolved,  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the   United    States   of   America,  That   it  be   and   is   hereby  recom- 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


mended  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  to  the  people 
of  the  several  .States,  that  they  assemble  in  the  several  counties  or 
towns  on  the  approaching  Centennial  anniversary  of  our  National 
Independence,  and  that  they  cause  to  have  delivered  on  such  day 

an  historical  sketch  of  said  counts'  or  town  from  its  formation,  and 
that  a  copy  of  said  sketch  may  be  filed,  in  print  or  manuscript,  in 
the  Clerk's  office  of  said  county,  and  an  additional  copy,  in  print  or 
manuscript,  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  to 
the  intent  that  a  complete  record  may  thus  be  obtained  of  the  pro- 
gress of  our  institutions  during  the  first  Centennial  of  their  exis- 
tence. 

Now,  therefore,  I,  John  L.  Bevcridge,  Governor  of  Illinois,  do 
hereby  earnestly  recommend  to  the  people  of  our  State,  that  prompt 
measures  be  taken  in  each  county  and  town  for  the  selection  and 
appointment,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  deemed  best,  of  one  or 
more  persons,  who  shall  prepare,  as  suggested  in  the  resolution, 
complete,  thorough  and  accurate  historical  sketches  of  each  counts-, 
city,  town  or  village,  from  the  date  of  its  first  settlement  to  the 
present  time;  one  copy  of  each  of  said  sketches  to  be  filed  in  the 
office  of  the  County  Clerk,  and  an  additional  copy  to  be  filed  in  the 
office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  the  City  of  Washington. 
That  these  sketches  may  be  of  the  greatest '  historical  value,  I 
would  especially  urge  the  importance  of  the  utmost  care  in  their 
preparation,  in  order  that  they  garner  many  interesting  facts  con- 
nected with  the  earliest  days  of  our  State,  the  knowledge  of  which, 
recorded  only  in  the  memories  of  our  older  citizens,  is  gradually 
passing  away,  and  soon  will  be  lost  to  us  forever. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and  caused 
the  great  seal  of  the  State  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Springfield,  this  25th  day  of  April,  A.  D. 
1S76. 

John  L.  Beveridge. 

By  the  Governor: 

George  II.  Harlow,  Sec'y  of  State. 
/ 


A    CARD. 


The  position  of  Centennial  Historian  of  Mason  county  being 
offered  me  by  our  citizens,  and  by  the  recommendation  of  the 
meeting  of  the  27th  inst.,  to  prepare  for  the  approaching  Anniver- 
sary, I  hereby  tender  my  thanks  to  those  who  have,  with  such  en- 
tire unanimity,  offered  me  this  work.  It  will  be  my  ambition  to 
accomplish  the  work  assigned,  not  only  to  the  best  of  my  ability, 
but  have  engaged  the  criticisms  and  advice  of  competent  friends,  to 
whom  all  manuscripts  will  be  referred  for  examination.  I  desire 
that  fullness,  correctness  and  impartiality  shall  be  charac- 
teristics of  the  work.  I  would  be  glad  to  receive  from  old  resi- 
dents such  incidents  of  the  early  history  of  the  county  as  may  be 
at  their  command. 

J.  COCHRANE. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


We  live  in  an  age  of  light  and  of  knowledge;  an  age  in  which 
the  progress  of  science  and  of  art  is  unprecedented  in  the  history 
of  the  world.  Their  progress  is  onward  with  the  step  of  a  Col- 
lossus.     We  abide,  too,  in  a  land  of  civil  and  religious  liberty.     The 

benignant   smiles  of  an  overruling'   Providence   have  ever  beamed 
upon  ns  in  all  their  glory  and  their  effulgence. 

The  trump  of  the  warrior,  the  noise  and  confusion  of  battle,  and 
the  garments  dyed  in  blood,  have  passed  from  our  heritage,  and 
we  are  living  in  the  felicitous  enjoyment  of  those  twin  boons  of 
freedom  and  prosperity,  purchased  bv  the  blood  of,  and  bequeathed 
to  us  by,  our  fathers.  Let  us  emulate  their  deeds,  practice  their 
virtue-,  and  hand  down  to  posteritv  the  rich  legacy  bequeathed 
to  us.  untarnished  by  them,  unimpaired  by  us.  Let  us  contemplate 
the  edifice  they  reared,  this  magnificent  temple  of  civil  and  reli- 
gious liberty! 

The  permanent  fruits  of  liberty  are  wisdom,  moderation  and  mercy. 
Its  abuse  are  crimes,  conflicts,  errors.  It  is  at  this  latter  crisis  that 
its  enemies  love  to  exhibit  it.  The)-  would  pull  down  the  scaffold- 
ing from  the  half-finished  edifice,  and  point  to  the  flying  dust,  the 
falling  timbers  and  debris,  and  then  ask  in  scorn,  where  is  the 
promised  comfort  and  splendor  of  the  structure  to  be  found  r 

But  there  stands  this  ancient  architectural  pile,  with  tokens  of 
a  century's  age  covering  it  from  its  corner-stone  to  its  topmost 
turret.  Some  of  its  enemies  point  to  these  -ymbols  of  age  as 
tokens  of  decay,  while  to  its  friends  they  indicate  the  years  they 
have  stood;  and  chronicle  a  massiveness  that  can  yet  defy  more  cen- 
turies than  it  has  stood  years.  Its  foundations  are  buried  in  the 
accumulated  mould  of  an  hundred  years.  Its  walls  are  mantled  by 
ornamental  vines  of  ever  green  foliage. 


INTRODUCTORY  REMARKS. 


Dig  away  the  mould  of  a  century,  and  these  foundations  were, 
laid  by  no  mortal  hand.  The  Temple  of  Civil  Liberty  is  founded 
on  primitive  rock.  It  strikes  its  roots  to  an  unfathomable  depth. 
No  frost  can  heave — no  convulsions  shake  it.  The  Centennial 
Anniversary  of  the  Temple  of  Liberty  to-day  we  celebrate.  July 
4,  1S76. 

COLUMBIA. 


Come  forth  in  all  thy  maiden  charm, 

Serenely  still,  benignly  fair, 
For  greetinsfs  true  and  glad  and  warm 

Are  thrilling  through  the  summer  air. 
Come  forth,  so  dowered  with  youthful  grace, 

Columbia,  Lady  of  the  West! 
And  be  the  welcome  in  thy  face, 

The  pride  of  every  honored  guest. 

A  hundred  years,  in  shade  and  light, 

Have  cast  their  glory  o'er  thy  brow; 
But  what  are  they  ?     A  watch  by  night 

To  nations  vast  who  seek  thee  now, 
Who  heard  the  overture  of  morn 

Swept  grandly  by  the  choiring  stars, 
Ere  yet  across  the  earth  was  borne 

The  sound  of  strife,  the  clash  of  wars. 

The  children  of  the  farthest  East 

Have  brought  their  tributes  to  thy  shrine. 
Though  last,  fair  land,  thou  art  not  least, 

And  cordial  hands  solicit  thine. 
Lo !  out  from  all  her  mystic  past 

Steps  she  who  reared  the  Pyramid; 
And  China  opens  wide  the  fast 

Barred  door  which  once  her  empire  hid. 

With  stately  courtesy  they  bring 

Their  wishes  for  thy  long  success ; 
Their  golden  censers  gently  swing 

With  incense  pure  as  love's  caress. 
With  treasures  of  an  elder  art, 

Across  blue-rounding  waves,  Japan 
Comes  mingling  in  thy  thronging  mart, 

To  tell  the  brotherhood  of  man. 


IO  HISTORY   OI''   MASON*   COUNTY. 


And  other  than  these  Orient  ones 
Are  pilgrams  to  thy  radiant  shore; 

The  emphasis  of  kindred  tones 

Makes  sweet  the  hail  from  lips,  before, 

A  century  back,  that,  touched  with  scorn, 
In  English  accents  told  thy  name — 

Thy  name!  to-dav  with  glory  worn 


*->  ■ 


Wherever  reaches  England's  fame. 


to' 


Italia  sends  her  dreams  sublime 

In  marble  wrought.     From  Spain  and  France, 
From  German  lands,  From  Russia's  clime, 

From  Greece,  with  thoughts  of  old  romance 
Entwined,  the  votive  offerings  come; 

And  syllabled  in  silvery  speech, 
Beneath  the  deep  cerulean  dome, 

Flow  words  of  cheer  thine  ear  to  reach. 

From  where  the  Amazon's  deep  tide 

Full-hearted  glides  through  banks  of  green, 
A  royal  pair  have  sought  thy  side, 

With  simplest  grace  and  courtly  mien; 
And  from  their  broad  and  ample  state, 

Where  thousands  bend  to  do  their  will, 
Comes,  fitly  crowning  freedom's  fete, 

A  wreath  of  bloom  from  fair  Brazil. 

A  fading  shape,  the  while  it  fades, 

That  gives  thee  homage,  joins  to  raise, 
lore  yet  it  vanish  'mid  the  shades 

Of  night  and  eld,  its  chant  of  praise. 
Its  name  is  on  thy  rivers  writ, 

Its  music  crowns  thy  mountain  peaks, 
Yet,  phantom-like,  its  children  flit 

Before  the  tongue  Columbia  speaks. 

Receive,  fair  virgin  of  the  West, 

The  friendly  plaudits  of  the  world; 
Receive  the  love  in  flowers  expressed, 

I5v  flags  in  gentle  peace  unfurled! 
Begin  the  century  to  come 

In  faith  unfeigned,  in  solemn  awe, 
And  consecrate  thy  soil,  the  home 

Of  Liberty  allied  to  Law! 


HISTORICAL     EVENTS 

LEADING  TO  THE   DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA. 

However  instructive  to  the  student  of  history  to  trace  the  lead- 
ing events  from  the  creation,  the  deluge,  the  calling  of  Abraham, 
the  exodus  of  Israel,  and  the  giving  of  the  Law,  the  foundation  of 
Sparta,  the  death  of  Saul,  the  foundation  of  Rome,  the  destruction 
of  Nineveh,  the  death  of  Cyrus,  the  battle  of  Marathon,  the  death 
of  Darius,  birth  of  Plato,  the  death  of  Socrates,  the  destruction  of 
Thebes,  Alexander  invades  Asia,  completion  of  the  Collossus  of 
Rhodes,  Hannibal  crosses  the  Alps,  death  of  Hannibal,  birth  of  Julius 
Ceasar,  death  of  Marius,  Ceasar  crosses  the  Rubicon,  and  is  made 
Dictator,  death  of  Cicero,  of  Anthony  and  Cleopetra,  and  the  great 
central  event  of  the  world's  history,  the  birth  of  Christ,  it  is  not 
the  province  of  this  work  to  detail. 

From  the  birth  of  Christ  to  the  discovery  of  America,  a  period 
of  nearly  fifteen  centuries,  events  thicken,  as  time  rolls  on,  with  ap- 
parently an  accellerated  velocity.  Prominent  among  them,  we 
note  the  death  of  Augustus,  and  the  accession  of  Tiberius,  and  the 
crucifixion  of  Christ,  Nero  Emperor  of  Rome,  and  Titus  of  Jeru- 
salem, Christianity  preached  in  Britain,  siege  of  Alexandria,  Con- 
stantine  the  Great,  Emperor  of  Rome,  Anglo-Saxons  in  Britain, 
Persia  conquered  by  the  Saracens,  descent  of  the  Danes  on  England, 
Otho,  the  first  King  of  Germany,  America  discovered,  in  1S01,  by 
Biorn  and  Lief,  two  Icelanders,  accession  of  William  the  Con- 
queror, death  of  Abelard,  the  Tartar  in  Hungary,  Palestine  lost  to 
the  Christians,  Turks  in  Europe,  burning  of  Heretics  in  England, 
siege  of  Orleans,  fall  of  the  Byzantine  Empire,  Gibralter  taken  by 
the  Moors,  birth  of  Luther  and  Raphael,  the  inquisition  in  Spain, 
battle  of  Bosworth,  Cape  of  Good  Hope  discovered,  surrender  of 
Grenada,  end  of  the  Moorish  Dominion  in  Spain,  expulsion  of  the 
Jews  from  Spain;  and  the  discovery  of  America. 


12  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


DISCOVERY    OF     AMERICA. 

The  province  and  scope  of  this  work  suggest  extreme  brevity, 
and  the  avoidance  of  detail  in  the  part  of  the  work  before  us.  We 
will  merely  state  in  brief,  in  their  chronological  order,  the  events 
bearing  on  the  discovery  of  America. 

Christopher  Columbus  discovered  land  belonging  to  the  Western 
Hemisphere,  October  12,  1492,  first  landing  on  one  of  the  Bahama 
Islands. 

John  and  Sebastian  Cabot  landed  on  Newfoundland  the  following 
June. 

Columbus  on  his  third  voyage  discovered  the  Continent,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Orinoco  river,  in  South  America,  in  1498. 

In  the  following  year,  Americus  Vespucius  conducted  a  vessel  to 
the  coast  of  South  America,  and  told  the  story  of  his  voyage  so 
well  that  the  Continent  received  his  name;  an  error  which  the  in- 
justice of  mankind  has  allowed  to  continue. 

Ponce  De  Leon,  in  1512,  discovers  Florida  while  searching  for 
the  "Fountain  of  Youth." 

James  Cartier,  a  French  sailor,  discovers  the  river  St.  Lawrence, 
in  1535.  DeSoto,  a  Spaniard,  discovers  the  Mississippi,  discovers 
Indians,  near  where  the  city  of  Mobile  now  stands,  residing  in  a 
walled  citv,  of  several  thousand  inhabitants.  He  explored  the 
Mississippi  and  Red  rivers,  and«died,  near  the  mouth  of  the  latter, 
May  21,  1542. 

The  first  English  settlement  was  contemplated  in  1578,  or  about 
three  centuries  ago.  Queen  Elizabeth,  of  England,  granted  a  pat- 
ent to  Sir  Humphry  Gilbert  "to  such  remote  heathen  and  barbar- 
ous lands  as  he  should  find  in  North  America."  Two  unsuccessful 
attempts  are  made  by  him  to  establish  colonies.  He  finally  perishes, 
with  his  vessels,  Sept.  23,  15S3.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  is  then  sent 
with  two  vessels,  and  lands  at  Pamlico  Sound;  also  makes  an  un- 
successful attempt  on  Roanoke  Island.  A  third  attempt,  in  1587, 
was  unsuccessful,  by  the  interference  of  the  Spanish  Armada,  and 
surrenders  his  charter  to  a  company  of  merchants  or  Indian  traders. 
The  Plymouth  company  landed  a  colony  at  the  mouth  of  Kenebec 
river,  in  1607,  are  unsuccessful,  and  return  to  England;  and  the  same 
year  a  London  company  establish  a  settlement  at  James  river,  which 
was  the  first  permanent  English  settlement  in  America.  English 
convicts  are  sent  to  Virginia,  and  slaves  introduced  in  1620.     Vari- 


HISTORICAL  EVENTS.  13 


ous  colonies  and  settlements  were   now  established,  with  variable 
success,  encountering  opposition  from  the  Indians. 

The  first  germ  of  American  Union,  we  find  in  a  confederation  of 
the  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut  and  New  Haven  colo- 
nies, a  confederation  that  lasted  nearly  forty  years.  Common  school 
laws,  an  institution  purely  American,  were  passed  in  Connecticut, 
in  1650. 

The  growth  of  the  colonies,  by  emigration  and  natural  increase, 
continued  to  progress  favorably,  till  they  suffer  the  misfortune  of 
the  resignation  of  their  distinguished  friend,  Mr.  Pitt,  in  October 
1761. 

In  1763,  a  treaty  of  peace  between  England  and  France  closed 
the  war  in  America  which  was  so  disastrous  to  the  colonies,  by 
reason  of  the  atrocities  committed  by  the  Indians  at  the  instigation 
of  the  French.  The  colonics  paid  $16,000,000  war  expenses,  and 
lost  30,000  men,  and  the  French  lost  their  Canadian  possessions  and 
all  of  their  immense  territory  east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  These 
were  preparatory  steps;  in  the  hands  of  an  overseeing  Providence 
other  results  that  were  to  follow,  namely :  preparing  the  people  for 
war,  and  the  organization  of  the  new  confederation  whose  centen- 
nial anniversary  we  celebrate  the  present  year. 

The  Colonial  Commanders  learned  the  art  of  war  as  they  fought 
side  by  side  with  the  veterans  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  soldiers  of 
the  western  frontier  compared  favorably  with  the  flower  of  the 
British  army.  This  was  illustrated  in  the  notable  defeat  of  Gen. 
Braddock.  The  skill  and  bravery  of  Washington  saved  the  Brit- 
ish army  from  annihilation  in  Pennsylvania. 

Various  acts  were  passed  by  the  British  Parliament  in  1763  and 
1764,  acts  obnoxious  and  adverse  to  the  interest  of  the  colonies, 
which  our  intended  brevity  compels  us  to  omit,  and  refer  to  the 
obnoxious  stamp  act  of  1765.  Also,  an  act  authorizing  the  British 
Ministry  to  send  any  number  of  troops  to  America,  for  whom  the 
colonists  were  to  find  "quarters,  firewood,  bedding,  drink,  soap  and 
candles." 

Various  colonies  passed  resolutions,  in  their  House  of  Burgesses, 
claiming  the  rights  of  British  subjects,  and  remonstrating  with  the 
mother  country  to  the  burdens  thus  imposed.  On  October  7,  1765, 
an  assembly  of  committees  or  delegates  from  nine  colonics  met,  in 
New  York.     This  was   the  first  Continental   Congress.     The   ex- 


14  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

periencc  of  one  year  convinced  England  that  the  Stamp  Act  could 
not  be  enforced  in  America. 

While  the  colonies  rejoiced  over  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act, 
the  home  government  was  framing  laws  for  their  more  serious 
oppression,  and  in  1767  taxes  were  levied  on  tea,  paint,  paper, 
glass  and  lead,  and  so  exorbitant  were  these  demands,  that  the  colo- 
nies determined  to  pay  no  more  taxes  or  duties  at  all,  illustrating  a 
principle  in  that  early  day  that  has  since  became  patent  to  the  even 
casual  observer,  that  the  best  way  to  get  rid  of  an  obnoxious  law  is 
to  rigidly  enforce  it.  In  176S,  the  Massachusetts  General  Court  is- 
sued a  circular  to  the  other  colonial  assemblies,  inviting  co-opera- 
tion for  the  defense  of  their  common  and  mutual  rights,  and  gener- 
ally received  most  cordial  replies. 

In  1770  the  indignation  of  the  people  of  Boston  at  the  British 
soldiers  breaks  out  into  an  affray  of  so  serious  a  nature  that  the 
troops  fire  on  the  citizens,  killing  three  and  wounding  several  others. 
Importations  are  nearly  discontinued,  and  home  manufactured 
goods  superceded  the  foreign  article,  and  so,  popular  did  this  be- 
come that  the  graduating  class  at  Harvard  College  took  their  de- 
grees in  homespun  this  year. 

Through    1770  the  feeling  becomes   more   intense,  and  the  year 
following,  a  British   Revenue   Schooner  was  burned  by  a  party  of 
colonists,  at  Providence,  Rhode  Island. 

Parliament  offered  $3,000  and  a  pardon  to  any  one  of  that  party 
who  would  betray  his  accomplices,  that  they  might  be  arrested. 
Though  they  were  known  by  all  the  colonies,  no  legal  evidence 
was  ever  brought  against  them. 

In  1773,  the  celebrated  Boston  tea  party  comes  off,  and  the  car- 
goes of  three  ships  are  emptied  into  the  sea. 

The  year  following  the  Tea  Party,  the  feeling  acquires  intensity, 
and  a  Continental  Congress  was  ordered  by  all  the  colonics  but 
Georgia.  They  assemble  in  Philadelphia,  and  Peyton  Randolph, 
of  Virginia,  is  chosen  President,  and  a  "Declaration  of  Colonial 
Rights"  is  the  result  of  their  labors,  and  agree  on  fourteen  articles 
as  a  basis  of  an  "American  Association."  This  body  was  hence- 
forth the  real  government,  and  their  requirements  were  the  laws  of 
the  country,  to  which  the  people  gave  strict  allegicnce. 

We  have  been  more  minute  in  the  details  of  these  transactions 
because   they  prove   the  loyalty  of  the   people  to  their  former  gov- 


HISTORICAL  EVENTS.  I< 

eminent,   and  the   gradually  tightening   system  of  tyrany  and   op- 
pression that  drove  them  from  that  loyalty  to  a  state  of  revolt. 

The  inauguration  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  variable 
successes  of  the  contending  armies,  the  progress  of  public  opinion 
gradually  growing  stronger  on  the  side  of  patriotism,  ripened  into 
the 

DECLARATION    OF    INDEPENDENCE,  JULY  4,   lj>j6. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  followed  by  the  Articles 
of  Confederation,  and  they  being,  after  a  few  years  experience, 
found  insufficient  and  unsatisfactory,  were  superceded  by  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States,  in  the  year  1787. 


SKETCH  OF  THE  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


By  a  treaty  between  the  general  government  and  the  Kaskaskia 
Indians,  made  January  13,  1803,  a  large  part  of  Illinois  was  opened 
to  settlement,  though  it  was  first  visited  by  Europeans  in  the  per- 
sons of  French  Jesuit  missionaries  in  the  year  1672,  who  explored 
the  north  part  of  the  State.  The  oldest  permanent  settlement  was 
made  in  1720,  at  Kaskaskia,  by  the  French.  The  name  of  the 
State  is  derived  from  the  Indians,  and  the  term  " Illini"  signifying 
in  the  Indian  tongue,  a  perfect  man.  It  was  modified  by  the 
French  into  its  present  form. 

This  State  was  formed  out  of  what  was  known  as  Northwestern 
Territory,  and  was  the  twenty-first  of  the  great  American  Union, 
whose  Centennial  we  celebrate  the  present  year. 

A    territorial    government  was  formed    February  3,   1S09,  and 

April  3,  18 18,  it  was  authorized  to   adopt  a  state  constitution,  and 

became  an  independent  State  on  the  3d  day  of  December,  the  same 
year. 

It  has  an  area  of  55,405  square  miles,  equal  to  35,459,200  acres. 

Population  in  1870,  2,539,63s.     This  State  extends  over  a  range  of 

latitude  of  five   and   a   half  degrees,  giving   a   greater  diversity  of 


l6  HISTORY  OK    MASON  COUNTY. 


climate  than  any  other  State  in  the  Union,  and  for  fertility  is  un- 
equaled  hy  any  other  territory  of  equal  extent  in  the  world.  The 
great  agricultural  staples  do  not  constitute  her  entire  wealth,  but 
she  is  rich  in  iron,  lead,  copper,  zinc,  lime,  marble,  gypsum,  etc.,  etc. 
Some  single  counties  contain  as  many  square  miles  of  coal-fields  as 
all  of  England  combined.  Brevity  compels  important  omissions, 
of  which  our  State  may  boast,  viz:  her  beautiful  cities  and  her 
grand  prairies,  her  thousands  of  miles  of  railroads  and  her  majes- 
tic rivers,  her  schools  and  her  churches,  her  law-abiding,  intelligent 
population,  her  beneficent  laws,  and  her  noble  constitution,  second 
to  none  in  the  Union. 

GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Perhaps  it  will  afford  some  of  our  readers  a  little  pleasure  to  see 
a  list  of  all  the  early  governors  of  Illinois,  commencing  with  its 
organization  as  a  territory  in  1S09.  If  so,  they  can  read  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Ninian  Edwards  was  appointed  Governor  of  the  Territory  in 
1809,  and  held  the  office  until  it  was  admitted  as  a  State  in  18 18. 
His  term  of  office  expired  in  1822,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Ed- 
ward Coles,  second  Governor.  His  term  expired  in  1S26,  at  which 
time  Ninian  Edwards  succeeded  as  third  Governor.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded, in  1830,  by  John  Reynolds,  commonly  called  the  "Old 
Ranger,"  who  was  the  fourth  Governor.  The  fifth,  Joseph  Dun- 
can, was  inaugurated  in  1834.  Thomas  Carlin,  the  sixth,  in  1838. 
Thomas  Ford,  the  seventh,  in  1842.  Augustus  C.  French,  eighth 
Governor,  was  inaugurated  first  in  1S46,  and  again  in  1S49,  under 
the  new  Constitution.  He  was  succeeded  by  Joel  A.  Matteson, 
ninth  Governor,  in  1S53;  and  he  by  Wm.  H.  Bissell,  the  tenth 
Governor,  in  1S57. 

PHYSICAL  PECULIARITIES,  BOUNDARIES,  EXTENT,  ETC. 

The  rich  and  highly  favored  region  forming  the  State  of  Illinois 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Wisconsin,  east  by  Lake  Michigan  and 
the  States  of  Indiana  and  Kentucky,  south  by  Kentucky,  and  west 
by  the  States  of  Missouri  and  Iowa.  Its  extent  from  north  to 
south  is  from  thirty-seven  degrees  to  forty-two  degrees  thirty  min- 
utes north  latitude,  and  cast  and  west  from  ten  degrees  thirty-two 
minutes  to  fourteen  degrees   thirty-three  minutes  longitude,  west 


HISTORICAL    EVENTS.  1 7 


from  Washington  City.  Its  extreme  length  is  three  hundred  and 
eighty  miles,  its  breadth  in  the  north  one  hundred  and  forty-five 
miles,  but  it  extends  in  its  centre  to  two  hundred  and  twenty  miles, 
from  whence  it  contracts  towards  the  south  to  a  narrow  point. 

The  whole  area  of  the  State  is  fifty-nine  thousand  square  miles, 
of  which  fifty-five  thousand  square  miles,  or  about  thirty-five  million 
acres,  are  capable  of  cultivation.  The  act  of  Congress  admitting  this 
State  into  the  Union  prescribes  boundaries  as  follows:  Beginning 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  river,  thence  up  the  middle  of  the 
main  channel,  thereof  to  a  point  where  a  line  drawn  due  north 
from  Vincennes  last  crosses  that  stream,  thence  due  north  to  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  thence  east  with  the 
boundary  line  of  the  same  State  to  the  centime  of  Lake  Michigan, 
thence  due  north  along  the  middle  of  said  lake  to  latitude  forty 
degrees  thirty  minutes,  thence  west  to  the  centre  of  the  Mississippi 
river,  thence  down  the  middle  of  the  main  channel  thereof  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Ohio  river,  thence  up  the  latter  stream,  along  its 
northern  or  right  shore  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

The  outline  of  the  State  is  in  extent  about  one  thousand  one 
hundred  and  sixty  miles,  the  whole  of  which,  except  three  hundred 
and  five,  is  formed  by  navigable  streams  and  waters.  As  a  physi- 
cal section  Illinois  is  the  lower  part  of  that  inclined  plane  of  which 
Lake  Michigan  and  both  its  shores  are  a  higher  section,  and  which 
is  extended  into  and  embraces  the  greater  part  of  Indiana.  Down 
this  plane,  in  a  very  nearly  southwestern  direction,  flows  the 
Wabash  and  its  confluents,  the  Kaskaskia,  the  Illinois  and  its  con- 
fluents, and  the  Rock  and  Wisconsin  rivers.  The  lowest  section 
of  the  plane  is  also  the  extreme  southern  angle  of  Illinois,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Ohio  river,  and  is  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea.  Though  the  State  of  Illinois  does  con- 
tain some  low  hilly  sections,  as  a  whole  it  may  be  regarded  as  a 
gently  inclining  plane  in  the  direction  of  the  rivers,  as  already  in- 
dicated. Without  including  minute  parts,  the  extreme  arable  ele- 
vation may  be  safely  stated  at  eight  hundred  feet  above  sea  level, 
and  the  mean  height  at  five  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  sea. 
Next  to  Louisana  and  Delaware,  Illinois  is  the  most  level  State  in 
the  Union.  A  small  tract  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  State  is 
hilly,  and  the  northern  portion  is  also  somewhat  broken.  There 
are  likewise  considerable  elevations  along  the  Illinois  river,  and  the 
bluffs  of   the   Mississippi   in    some   places   might    almost    pass   for 

—3 


iS  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

mountains.  But  by  far  the  greater  portion  of  the  State  is  either 
distributed  in  vast  plains,  or  barrens,  that  are  gently  rolling  like  the 
waves  of  the  sea.  We  may  travel  on  the  wide  prairie  for  days 
without  encountering  an  elevation  that  is  worthy  to  be  called  a  hill. 
In  no  part  of  the  peopled  portion  of  the  United  States  are  there 
such  vast  sections  of  prairie  country.  One  vast  prairie,  with  but 
little  interuption,  spreads  from  the  shore  of  the  Mississippi  to  that 
of  Lake  Michigan.  Undoubtedly,  the  most  remarkable  feature  of 
the  State  of  Illinois  is  its  vast  prairies,  or  unwooded  plains.  They 
begin  on  a  comparatively  small  scale  in  the  basin  of  Lake  Erie, 
and  increase  as  we  proceed  westward,  already  form  the  bulk  of  the 
land  about  Lake  Michigan,  the  Upper  Wabash  and  the  Illinois, 
but  west  of  the  Mississippi  they  are  still  more  extensive,  covering  the 
whole  country,  interspersed  with  groves  of  timber,  or  patches  of 
wood  land,  chiefly  confined  to  the  river  vallics  and  the  borders  of 
streams.  The  characteristic  peculiarity  of  the  prairies  is  the  ab- 
sence of  timber;  in  other  respects  they  present  all  the  variety  of 
soil  and  surface  that  are  found  elsewhere.  Some  are  of  inexhaust- 
able  fertility,  others  are  of  hopeless  sterility.  'The  latter  condition, 
the  exception,  and  by  no  means  the  rule.  Some  spread  out  in  a 
vast  boundless  plain,  others  are  undulating  or  rolling,  while  others 
are  broken  by  hills.  In  general,  they  a  re  covered  with  a  rich 
growth  of  grass,  excellent  natural  meadows,  from  which  circum- 
stance they  take  their  name. 

Prairie  is  a  French  word,  signifying  meadow,  and  is  applied  to 
any  description  of  surface  that  is  destitute  of  timber,  and  clothed 
with  grass.  Wet,  dry,  level  or  undulating,  are  terms  of  descrip- 
tion, merely,  and  apply  to  prairies  in  the  same  sense  they  do  to  for- 
est lands.  Indians  and  hunters  annually  set  fire  to  the  prairie 
grasses  to  dislodge  their  game;  the  fire  spreads  with  tremendous 
rapidity,  and  presents  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  terrible  specta- 
cles in  nature.  The  flames  rush  through  the  long  grass  with  a 
noise  like  thunder;  dense  clouds  of  smoke  arise;  and  the  sky  itself 
seems  almost  on  fire,  particularly  during  the  night.  Travel  on  the 
prairies,  during  the  burning  season,  is  extremely  dangerous,  and 
when  pursued  by  the  fires  the  only  escape  is  to  fire  the  grass  around 
them,  and  taking  shelter  on  the  burnt  part,  where  the  approaching 
flames  must  expire  for  want  of  fuel. 

The  groves  and  belts  of  timber  bordering  on  the  prairies  have 
frequent   springs  of  water,  and   are   covered  with  bushes  of  hazel 


HISTORICAL    EVENTS. 


l9 


and  furze,  small  sasafras  shrubs,  festooned  with  the  wild  grape  vine 
and  the  amepolopsis,  and  in  the  season  of  flowers  becomes  beauti- 
fully decorated  by  a  rich  profusion  of  gaily  colored  herbaceous  and 
perennial  flowers.  In  March,  and  early  in  April,  the  forests  are  in 
bloom.  The  brilliant  red  bloom  of  the  cercis  canadensis,  hand- 
somely exhibits  its  charms.  The  yellow  blossoms  of  the  fragrant 
leonicera  diffuses  its  fragrance,  and  the  jasminum  frtiticans  im- 
pregnates the  air  with  its  delicious  odors,  and  a  vast  variety  of 
other  odoriferous  plants  are  passively  engaged  in  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  offices,  either  of  the  display  of  gay  colors  or  the 
emission  of  rare  odors.  The  pi-airies  are  thus  referred  to  by  one 
of  the  early  western  poets — 

"Travelers  entering  here,  behold  around 
A  large  and  spacious  plain  on  every  side, 

Strewed  with  beauty,  whose  fair   grassy  mound 
Mantled  with  green,  and   goodly  beautified 

With  all  the  ornaments  of  Flora's  pride." 

The  deep,  rich,  black  soils  of  the  prairies  are  of  exhaustless  fertil- 
ity, and  equally  adapted  to  the  growth  of  vegetables,  corn,  wheat, 
rye,  barley  and  oats.  All  the  fruits  of  this  latitude  are  grown  with 
extraordinary  success. 

From  May  to  October  the  prairies  are  covered  with  tall  grass, 
and  the  flower  producing  weeds.  In  June  and  July  they  seem  an 
ocean  of  flowers,  of  various  hues,  waving  to  the  breezes  that  sweep 
over  them.  The  numerous  tall  flowers  that  grow  luxuriently  over 
these  plains,  present  a  striking  and  delightful  appearance.  Early 
in  the  history  of  the  settlements  of  these  prairies,  herds  of  deer 
were  frequently  seen  bounding  over  these  prairie  undulations. 

In  the  southern  part  of  the  State  the  prairies  are  comparatively 
small,  varying  in  size  from  a  few  acres  to  several  miles  in  extent. 
As  we  go  northward,  they  widen  and  extend  on  the  more  elevated 
ground,  between  the  water  courses,  to  a  vast  distance,  and  are  fre- 
quently from  six  to  twelve  miles  wide.  Their  borders  are  by  no 
means  uniform,  but  are  intersected  in  every  direction  by  strips  of 
forest  land,  advancing  into  and  receding  from  the  prairie  towards 
the  water  courses,  whose  banks  are  always  lined  with  timber,  prin- 
cipally of  luxuriant  growth. 

Between  these  streams  are,  in  many  instances,  copses  or  groves 
of  timber,  containing  from  ioo  to  2000  acres,  in  the  midst  of  the 
prairie,  like  islands  in  the  ocean.     This  is  a  common  feature  be- 


20  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


tween  the  Sangamon  river  and  Lake  Michigan,  the  region  of  Illi- 
nois in  which  our  own  Mason  county,  forms  so  conspicuous  and 
desirable  a  part.  The  largest  tract  of  prairie  in  Illinois  is  called 
Grand  Prairie.  Under  this  general  name  is  embraced  the  country 
lying  between  the  water  which  fall  into  the  Mississippi,  and  those 
which  enter  the  Wabash  rivers.  It  does  not  consist  of  one  vast 
tract  boundless  to  the  vision,  and  uninhabitable  for  want  of  timber, 
hut  made  up  of  continuous  tracts,  with  points  of  timber  projecting 
inward,  and  long  arms  of  the  prairie  extending  between  the  creeks 
and  smaller  streams.  The  southern  points  of  the  Grand  Prairie 
arc  formed  in  the  northeastern  parts  of  Jackson  county,  and  extend 
in  a  northeastern  course  between  the  streams,  of  various  widths, 
from  one  to  ten  or  twelve  miles,  through  Perry,  Washington,  Jef- 
ferson, Marion,  the  eastern  part  of  Fayette,  Effingham,  through 
the  western  part  of  Coles,  into  Champaign  and  Iroquois  counties, 
where  it  becomes  connected  with  the  prairies  that  project  eastward 
from  the  Illinois  river  and  its  tributaries.  This  part  alone  is  fre- 
quently called  the  Grand  Prairie. 

On  the  origin  of  the  prairies,  it  is  difficult  to  decide;  various 
speculations  have  arisen  on  this  subject,  and  have  given  rise  to  vari- 
ous opinions;  the  most  practical  of  which  is  ably  set  forth  by  Prof. 
Winchell,  in  another  part  of  this  work,  in  the  section  entitled  the 
"Treelessness  of  the  Prairies."  When  Capt.  John  Smith  visited 
the  Chesapeake,  he  found  extensive  prairies,  and  first  bore  witness 
to  the  practice  of  circular  tires  as  a  mode  of  hunting  among  the 
savages.  These  tracts  have  been  early  inhabited  and  cultivated  by 
the  colonists,  and  the  prairies  have  long  since  disappeared. 

Probably  one-half  of  the  earth's  surface,  in  a  state  of  nature, 
consisted  of  prairies  or  barrens;  much  of  it,  like  our  western  prai- 
ries, were  covered  with  a  luxurient  coat  of  grass  and  herbage. 

The  Steppes  of  Central  Asia,  the  Pampas  of  Buenos  Ayres  and 
Venezuela,  the  Savanahs  of  Louisiana  ami  Texas,  and  the  prairies, 
designate  identical,  or  at  least  similar,  tracts  of  country.  Mesopot- 
amia, Syria  and  Judea  had  their  ancient  prairies,  on  which  the 
Patriarchs  pastured  their  flocks.  Travelers  in  Burmah,  in  the  in- 
terior of  Africa  and  New  Holland,  mention  the  same  description  of 
country.  Mungo  Park  describes  the  annual  burnings  of  the 
plains  of  Manning,  western  Africa,  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
prairies  of  the  western  States,  and  the  practice  is  attended  with  the 


HISTORICAL  EVENTS.  21 

same   results,  the  country  being  in  short  covered  with  a  luxurient 
crop  of  young  tender  grass,  on  which  cattle  feed  with  avidity. 

FORESTS    OF    ILLINOIS. 

In  general,  Illinois  is  abundantly  supplied  with  timber,  and  were 
it  equally  distributed  through  the  State,  there  would  be  no  part 
wanting.  The  growth  of  timber  within  the  State  is  such,  and  its 
preservation  an  object  with  the  inhabitants,  that  it  is  estimated  that 
there  is  from  one-fourth  to  one-third  more  timber  in  the  State  than 
there  was  forty  years  ago.  The  apparent  scarcity  of  timber 
through  the  State,  where  the  prairies  predominate,  is  not  an  ob- 
stacle to  settlement,  as  has  been  supposed.  For  many  of  the  pur- 
poses to  which  timber  is  applied  substitutes  have  been  found. 

The  rapidity  with  which  the  young  growth  pushes  itself  for- 
ward, without  a  single  effort  on  the  part  of  man  to  accellerate  it, 
and  the  readiness  with  which  prairies  become  converted  into  thickets, 
and  then  into  a  forest  of  young  timber,  shows  that  in  another  genera- 
tion timber  will  not  be  wanting  in  any  part  of  Illinois. 

The  growth  of  the  bottom  lands  consists  of  black  walnut,  sev- 
eral species  of  ash,  three  varieties  of  elm,  hackberry,  sugar  maple, 
soft  maple,  and  the  ash-leaved  maple  or  box-elder,  honey  locust, 
mulberry,  buckeye,  sycamore,  cottonwood,  pecan,  and  three  or  four 
other  varieties  of  the  hickory  family,  numerous  varieties  of  the  oak 
family,  among  them  the  cup  oak,  burr  oak,  swamp  or  water  oak, 
white  oak,  red  oak,  black  oak;  of  the  shrubbery,  we  note  the  red- 
bud,  pawpaw,  dogwood,  two  varieties,  spice  brush,  hazel,  green- 
briar,  and  many  others,  even  the  names  of  which  we  have  been 
unable  to  learn.  We  have  now  a  collection  of  the  native  woods  of 
Illinois,  numbering  ninety-eight  varieties,  and  we  have  not  all. 
Perhaps  no  other  State  in  the  Union  can  furnish  such  a  variety  of 
timber,  and  shrubs,  and  vines,  as  Illinois.  Along  the  banks  of 
streams  the  sycamore,  the  cottonwood,  the  elm  and  the  pecan 
predominate,  and  attain  to  an  immense  size,  and  are  of  rapid 
growth. 

Uplands  are  covered  with  various  species  of  timber,  among 
which  are  the  post  oak,  white  and  black  oak,  of  several  varieties, 
and  the  black  jack,  a  dwarfish  gnarled  tree,  good  for  little  else  than 
firewood,  for  which  purpose  it  is  equal  to  any  we  have,  of  hickory, 
both  the » shellbark  and  the  smoothbark,  black  walnut,  white  wal- 
nut or  butternut,  American  linn  or  basswood,  several  varieties  of 


HISTORY  OF  MASON'  COUNTY. 


cherry,  and  many  of  the  species  produced  on  the  bottoms.  In 
some  parts  of  this  State  yellow  poplar  prevails,  principally  in  the 
south,  interspersed  with  occasional  clumps  of  beech.  Near  the 
Ohio,  on  low  creek  bottoms,  the  deciduous  cypress  is  found. 

No  poplar  is  found  on  the  eastern  borders  of  the  State  till  near 
Palestine,  while  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the  Wabash,  in  Indiana, 
poplar  and  beech  predominate.  Occasional  clumps  of  stunted 
cedar  are  to  be  seen  on  the  cliffs  that  overhang  the  bottoms  along 
the  Illinois  river  north  of  Peoria;  but  no  pines  have  come  to  our 
knowledge  that  are  natives  of  Illinois. 

Timber  not  only  grows  more  rapidly  than  in  other  States,  but 
decays  sooner  when  put  into  buildings,  fences,  or  is  in  any  way  ex- 
posed to  the  weather.  It  is  more  porous,  and  will  shrink  and  ex- 
pand, as  the  weather  becomes  wet  or  dry,  to  a  greater  extent  than 
the  slow  crowing-  timbers  of  other  States.  From  the  above  it  will 
be  perceived  that  Illinois  does  not  labor  under  the  great  incon- 
veniences for  timber  that  many  have  supposed.  Our  excellent  and 
numerous  facilities  for  transportation  assure  us  us  that  the  future 
will  be  better  provided  for  than  the  past.  Timber  may  be  artifi- 
cially produced,  with  but  little  trouble  or  expense,  to  an  indefinite 
extent. 

The  black  locust,  a  native  growth  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  may 
be  raised  from  the  seed  with  far  less  trouble  than  a  nursery  of 
apple  trees,  and  as  it  is  of  very  rapid  growth,  a  lasting  timber  for 
fencing,  buildings  and  boats,  it  must  claim  the  attention  of  farmers. 
Already  it  forms  one  of  the  cleanliest  and  most  beautiful  shades, 
and  when  in  bloom  presents  a  rich  prospect,  and  sheds  a  most  deli- 
cious fragrance. 

THE  ILLINOIS  RIVER  AND  ITS  TRIBUTARIES. 

The  Illinois  river,  which  gives  name  to  the  State,  may  be  con- 
sidered the  most  important,  whose  whole  course  lies  within  the 
limits  of  the  State,  and  whose  waters  lave  the  western  line  of 
Mason  county.  It  is  formed  by  the  junction  of  the  Kankakee  and 
the  Desplaines  rivers,  near  the  towns  of  Dresden  and  Kankakee. 
Thence  it  curves  nearly  to  a  west  course,  until  a  short  distance 
above  Hennepin.  Here  it  curves  to  the  south,  and  then  to  the 
southwest  Passing  the  beautiful  and  flourishing  cities  of  Peoria, 
Pekin,  Havana  and  Beardstown,  it  reaches  Naples.  Hence  to  its 
mouth  its  course  is  nearly  due  south.      It  enters  the  Mississippi 


HISTORICAL  EVENTS. 


33 


twenty  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri,  and  at  that  point  is 
four  hundred  feet  above  the  waters  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  From 
Havana  to  the  mouth  there  is  fifteen  feet  fall,  and  from  Peoria  to 
Havana  four  feet  eleven  inches.  At  high  floods  this  river  over- 
flows its  banks  and  covers  the  bottoms  for  a  considerable  extent. 
The  Mississippi,  at  extreme  high  water,  backs  the  water  seventy- 
miles  up  the  Illinois.  The  commerce  of  the  Illinois  river  is  very- 
extensive,  and  increases  with  a  rapidity  only  known  to  the  rich 
agricultural  regions  of  the  western  states.  Several  steamboats  are 
constantly  employed  in  the  Illinois  river  trade,  and  others  make 
occasional  trips.  At  as  early  a  date  as  1S36,  thirty-five  different 
steamboats  passed  and  landed  at  Havana,  and  the  total  arrivals 
and  departures  for  the  season  were  four  hundred  and  fifty. 
The  year  1828  was  the  beginning  of  steam  navigation  on  the  Illi- 
nois river.  Forty  miles  below  the  junction  of  the  Kankakee  and 
Desplaines  rivers  the  Illinois  receives  the  Fox  river  from  the  north. 
Both  above  and  below  the  mouth  of  this  river  there  is  a  succession 
of  rapids  in  the  Illinois,  with  intervals  of  deep  and  smooth  water. 
From  the  mouth  of  Fox  river  to  the  foot  of  the  rapids  is  nine  miles, 
the  descent  in  all  eight  feet,  the  rocks  of  soft  sandstone  mixed  with 
gravel  and  shelly  limestone.  Nine  miles  above  Fox  river  the 
rapids  begin,  and  extend  ten  or  twelve  miles.  They  are  formed 
by  ledges  of  rocks  in  the  river,  and  rocky  islands.  The  whole 
descent  from  the  surface  of  Lake  Michigan,  at  Chicago,  to  the 
foot  of  the  rapids,  a  distance  of  ninety-four  and  one-fourth  miles, 
is  one  hundred  and  forty-one  feet  and  ten  inches. 

At  the  foot  of  the  rapids  the  Vermilion  river  enters  the  Illinois 
from  the  south,  by  a  mouth  about  fifty  yards  wide.  It  is  an  excel- 
lent mill  stream,  and  runs  through  extensive  beds  of  bituminous 
coal.  Sixty  miles  down  the  Illinois  from  the  termination  of  the 
rapids,  commences  Peoria  Lake,  an  expansion  of  the  river,  and 
about  twenty  miles  in  length  by  an  average  of  two  wide.  Such  is 
the  depth  and  the  regularity  of  the  bottom,  that  it  has  no  percepti- 
ble current.  Its  waters  are  very  transparent,  its  margin  exhibits 
beautiful  scenery,  and  its  surface  is  spotted  with  innumerable  flocks 
of  pelicans,  swan,  geese  and  ducks.  It  also  abounds  in  all  the  varie- 
ties of  fish,  in  bountiful  supply,  usually  found  in  the  western  waters. 
A  few  miles  below  Peoria  lake  the  Mackinaw  river  comes  into  the 
Illinois  on  the  east  side,  from  the  south.  It  is  about  one  hundred 
miles  in  length,  and  was  formerly  boatable  for  a  considerable  dis- 


24  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

tance.  It  rises  in  the  prairie  in  the  eastern  part  of  McLean  county, 
and,  running  southwest  through  Tazewell  county,  enters  the  Illi- 
nois about  three  miles  below  Pekin.  The  next  stream  entering 
the  Illinois  river  is  Quiver  creek,  from  the  east,  a  short  distance- 
above  the  city  of  Havana.  An  inconsiderable  stream,  but  on 
whose  banks  are  situated  two  fine  mills,  and  along  its  shores  lie 
some  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  stream  is 
abundantly  stocked  with  fish.  Twenty-five  miles  below  the  mouth 
of  Mackinaw,  and  directly  opposite  the  city  of  Havana,  Spoon 
river — classic  stream  of  many  historical  associations — enters  the 
Illinois  from  the  west.  It  is  a  beautiful  stream,  the  most  consider- 
able of  those  which  water  the  military  tract.  It  was  once  naviga- 
ble  for  a  short  distance.  Its  length  is  about  one  hundred  and  forty 
miles. 

About  eight  miles  above  Beardstown  the  Sangamon  enters  the 
Illinois  from  the  east.  It  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  branches  of 
the  Illinois,  and  forms  the  southeastern  boundary  of  Mason  county. 
It  is  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  in  length,  and  has  been,  in  sea- 
sons of  high  water,  traversed  with  small  steamers  a  long  distance 
from  its  mouth.  From  its  position  and  excellence  of  its  lands,  it  is 
one  of  the  most  important  streams  in  the  State.  Along  its  banks 
are  some  of  the  best  grass  and  stock  farms  in  Illinois.  Crooked 
creek,  next  to  Spoon  river,  is  the  most  considerable  stream  that 
waters  the  military  tract.  From  its  volume  and  length  it  deserves 
the  name  of  river,  but  it  is  mostly  designated  by  the  inferior  title. 
It  enters  the  Illinois  from  the  west,  a  few  miles  below  Beardstown, 
and  is  about  one  hundred  miles  in  length.  Below  Crooked  creek, 
and  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  are  Indian  creek,  Mauvaisterrc 
creek,  and  Sandy  creek,  in  Morgan  countv,  and  Apple  and  Macou- 
pin creeks,  in  Green  county.  All  these  are  beautiful  streams, 
and  meander  through  some  of  the  best  populated  and  most  fertile 
regions  of  country  of  the  garden  State.  McKee's  creek,  emptying 
on  the  west  side,  is  the  lowest  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Illinois  of 
any  note,  from  the  military  tract.  The  land  on  this  creek  and  its 
branches  is  excellent,  and  well  proportioned  in  timber  and  prairie; 
is  gently  undulating  and  rich. 

In  the  Illinois  river  there  are  but  few  bars  or  obstructions  to 
navigation  until  we  reach  Starved  Rock,  about  one  mile  above  the 
town  of  Utica.  Here  we  meet  the  first  permanent  obstruction, 
being  a  ledge  of  sandstone  rock  immediately   at  the  foot  of  the 


HISTORICAL  EVENTS.  25 


rapids,  and  extending  entirely  across  the  bed  of  the  river.  This 
point  is  two  hundred  and  ten  miles  from  its  mouth  by  the 
course  of  the  river.  The  town  of  Utica  may  properly  be  called 
the  head  of  navigation,  though  steamers  have  gone  to  Ottawa,  nine 
miles  further.  For  a  great  distance  above  its  mouth  the  river  is 
almost  straight  as  a  canal,  and  during  low  water  in  summer  has 
scarcely  any  perceptible  current,  and  the  water  is  quite  transparent. 
The  river  is  wide  and  deep,  and  enters  the  Mississippi  by  a  mouth 
four  hundred  yards  wide.  No  river  in  the  western  country  is  so 
fine  for  the  purposes  of  navigation  as  the  Illinois,  or  flows  through 
so  rich  and  fertile  a  region  of  country.  On  the  banks  of  this  noble 
stream  the  first  French  emigrants  from  Canada  settled,  and  here 
was  the  scenery  on  which  they  founded  their  extravagant  panegy- 
rics on  the  western  country. 

By  the  Chicago  and  Illinois  canal  the  waters  of  the  Illinois  river 
are  united  to  those  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  form  one  of  the  most 
important  links  in  the  chain  of  internal  navigable  waters  of  the 
United  States.  Nature  performed  a  great  share  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this  grand  improvement.  The  canal  distance  from  the 
lake  to  its  intersection  with  the  river  is  one  hundred  miles.  The 
navigation  of  the  Illinois  river  was  an  indispensable  necessity  to 
the  early  settlers  as  a  means  of  access  and  egress,  and  for  the  ship- 
ment of  their  immense  superfluous  crops. 

THE  SANGAMON  RIVER  AND  ITS  TRIBUTARIES. 

The  Sangamon  river  forms  the  southeast  boundary  of  Mason 
county,  and  is  one  of  the  most  important  tributaries  of  the  Illinois. 
It  enters  that  river  about  one  hundred  miles  above  its  mouth,  and 
ten  miles  above  Beardstown.  It  rises  in  Vermilion  county,  and 
heads  with  the  Mackinaw,  the  Vermilion,  the  Big  Vermilion,  and 
other  streams.  Its  length  is  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles, 
and  is  navigable  for  small  steamboats  when  waters  are  high,  and 
before  the  stream  was  crossed  by  numerous  railroad  bridges,  to  the 
junction  of  the  north  and  south  forks,  av  distance  from  the  Illinois 
of  about  seventy-five  miles.  In  the  spring  of  1832  a  steamboat  of 
the  larger  class  arrived  within  five  miles  of  Springfield,  and  dis- 
charged its  cargo.  In  1S37  arrangements  were  made  for  running 
a  small  class  of  steamboats  from  the  towns  on  the  Illinois  to  Peters- 
burg, on  the  left  bank  of  the  Sangamon,  and  forty-five  miles  from 
its  mouth.  All  the  streams  that  enter  this  river  have  sandy  or 
—4 


26  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

pebbly  bottoms,  clear  and  transparent  waters.  The  Sangamon 
bottoms  have  a  soil  of  extraordinary  fertility,  and  rear  from  their 
rich,  black,  mould  forests  of  enormous  sycamore  and  elms,  and 
other  forest  trees;  huge  overgrown  masses,  and  towering  high 
heavenward. 

The  Sangamon  and  its  branches  flow  through  the  richest  and 
most  delightful  regions  of  the  great  west.  The  beautiful  and  fertile 
prairies  on  its  banks  afford  range  and  rich  pasturage  for  thousands 
of  cattle.  The  general  aspect  of  the  country  drained  by  the  San- 
gamon and  its  branches  is  level,  yet  it  is  sufficiently  undulating  to 
permit  the  water  to  escape  to  the  creeks.  It  now  constitutes  one 
of  the  richest  grazing  and  agricultural  districts  in  the  State,  or  the 
United  States,  the  soil  being  of  such  a  nature  that  immense  crops 
are  raised  with  comparatively  little  agricultural  labor.  The  rail- 
roads traversing  this  region  to  the  great  markets  of  the  west  and 
east,  here  receive  their  long  trains  of  cattle,  hogs,  corn,  wheat  and 
rye. 

The  principal  branches  of  the  Sangamon  are  the  South  Fork 
and  Salt  creek.  The  latter  being  most  identified  with  Mason 
county,  is  about  ninety  miles  long,  and  heads  near  the  main  stream 
of  the  Sangamon,  and  receives  in  its  course  several  unimportant 
tributaries.  The  same  that  was  said  of  the  Sangamon  will  apply 
to  the  country  bordering  on  Salt  creek,  without  the  slightest  dimi- 
nution. 

PRODUCTIONS  OF  THE  SOIL. 

That  region  of  Central  Illinois — the  western  empire  State — 
of  which  Mason  county  forms  no  inconsiderable  part,  having  a 
vast  extent  of  most  fertile  lands,  must,  of  course,  raise  with  greatest 
ease  all  the  articles  to  which  her  soil  and  climate  are  favorable,  to 
an  amount  far  beyond  her  consumption. 

All  the  grains,  fruits  and  vegetables  of  the  temperate  regions  of 
the  earth  here  grow  most  luxuriently.  The  wheat  is  of  an  excel- 
lent quality,  and  there  is  no  part  of  the  western  continent  where 
corn  is  grown  with  greater  ease  and  abundance,  nor  of  equal  qual- 
ity. In  the  great  corn  markets  of  the  country,  Chicago  and  Bos- 
ton, "Mason  county  yello'iv"  is  a  standard  quotation,  and  at  higher 
rates  than  any  other  in  those  markets.  When  the  frosts  nip  the 
corn  on  lower  and  less  favored  soils,  we  find  men  from  almost 
every  part  of  our  great  State  sending  to  Central  Illinois,  and  to 
Mason  county  especially,  for  their  seed  corn.     When  the  millers  of 


HISTORICAL    EVENTS.  2*] 


Northern  Illinois  desire  a  dry  article  for  early  fall  grinding,  they 
send  their  purchasing  agents  to  Mason  county. 

Garden  vegetables  of  all  kinds  succeed  well.  No  country  can 
exceed  this  in  its  adaptation  to  rearing  the  finest  fruits  and  fruit- 
bearing  trees.  (We  make  an  exception  here  of  dwarf  pears  and 
the  quince,  and  will  give  the  causes  in  detail  in  the  section  on 
Fruits,  in  another  part  of  this  work.)  Wild  fruits  and  berries  are, 
in  many  places,  abundant,  and  on  some  of  the  prairies  the  straw- 
berries are  remarkably  fine.  In  some  localities  grapevines  indigen- 
ous to  the  country  are  abundant,  and  yield  a  fruit  from  which  can 
be  manufactured  an  excellent  wine.  Indigenuous  vines  are  very 
prolific,  and  are  found  in  every  variety  of  soil,  interwoven  in  every 
thicket,  bordering  on  the  prairies,  and  climbing  to  the  tops  of  the 
tallest  trees  on  the  bottom  lands.  The  French,  in  early  times, 
made  so  much  wine  from  our  native  grapes  in  Illinois,  as  to  export 
a  quantity  to  France,  upon  which  the  government  of  that  country, 
in  1774,  passed  laws  prohibiting  the  importation  of  wines  from 
their  dependencies  in  America,  lest  it  might  injure  the  sale  of  that 
staple  of  the  French  Kingdom. 

The  native  plum  is  produced  in  great  abundance,  variety  and 
flavor,  color  and  size ;  are  less  subject  to  curculio  than  the  tenderer 
varieties.  Crab  apples  are  abundant  and  prolific.  Wild  cherries 
are  equally  productive.  The  persimmon  is  abundant,  and  delicious 
when  the  frost  has  destroyed  its  astringency.  The  black  mulberry 
is  abundant  and  productive. 

The  gooseberry,  the  strawberry  and  the  blackberry  grow  wild 
and  in  great  profusion,  proving  from  natural  causes  alone  the 
beautiful  adaptation  of  our  soil  and  climate  to  the  production  of  the 
improved  and  finer  varieties  of  fruits. 

Of  nuts,  the  hickory,  black  walnut  and  pecan  deserve  notice. 
The  later  is  an  oblong,  thin-shelled  and  delicious  nut,  that  grows 
on  a  large  tree  of  the  same  family  as  the  hickory.  ( Carya-olive- 
jbrmis.) 

The  pawpaw  grows  on  the  bottoms  and  rich  timbered  uplands, 
and  produces  a  large,  pulpy,  and  luscious  fruit.  The  Kentucky 
coffee  tree  is  a  native  of  the  lands  bordering  on  the  Illinois  river, 
and  a  desirable  tree  for  shade  and  ornament. 

Of  the  domestic  fruits,  the  apple,  peach  and  the  pear  are  princi- 
pally cultivated,  the  latter,  however,  with  variable  success.  Pears 
were  successfully  grown  as  seedlings  by  the  early  French  settlers 


2$  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

in  the  southern  part  of  the  State.  Many  of  their  earliest  plantings 
still  survive.  The  quince  cannot  he  successfully  grown  in  Central 
Illinois.  Peach  trees  grow  with  great  rapidity,  and  decay  propor- 
tionately soon.  Our  variable  winters  render  them  precarious  and 
uncertain. 

ORIGIN  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 

Sangamon,  which  included  within  its  limits  a  part  of  Mason 
county,  was  formed  from  Bond  and  Madison  counties  in  1S21, 
and  in  1837  was  the  largest  and  most  populous  in  the  State, 
being  forty  miles  from  north  to  south,  and  forty-two  from  east  to 
west  on  its  southern  boundary,  and  upwards  of  sixty  on  its  north- 
ern boundary;  containing  sixty  full  townships,  or  two  thousand  one 
hundred  and  sixty  square  miles.  Previous  to  1S19  there  was  not  a 
white  inhabitant  on  the  Sangamon  river;  in  1837  tncv  amounted  to 
over  twenty  thousand. 

The  whole  territory  watered  by  the  Sangamon  and  its  branches 
is  an  Arcadian  region,  in  which  nature  has  delighted  to  bring 
together  her  happiest  combination  of  landscape  and  scenery. 
There  is  in  this  region  a  happy  combination  of  timber  and  prairie 
land,  the  soil  is  of  great  fertility,  being  of  a  rich,  calcareous  loam, 
from  one  to  three  feet  deep,  intermixed  with  fine  sand.  The  sum- 
mer range  for  cattle  in  inexhaustable.  All  who  ever  visit  this  fine 
tract  of  country  admire  the  beauty  of  the  landscape  which  nature 
has  here  displayed  in  primeval  loveliness  and  freshness.  So  delight- 
ful a  region  was  soon  selected  by  emigrants  from  New  York,  New 
England,  North  Carolina,  and  Canada,  and'more  than  two  hundred 
families  had  settled  themselves  here  before  it  was  surveyed. 

It  constitutes  several  populous  counties  now,  one  of  which  is  Mason, 
inhabited  by  thriving  farmers,  and  prosperous  commercial   towns. 

•'Arcadian  vales,  with  vine-hung  bowers, 

And  grassy  nooks  beneath  the  black  jack's  shades, 
Where  dance  the  never  ceasing  hours 

To  music  of  the  bright  cascade. 
Skies  softly  beautiful  and  blue  . 

As  Italia's,  with  stars  as  bright; 
Flowers  rich  as  morning's  sunrise  hue, 

And  gorgeous  as  the  gemmed  midnight. 
Land  of  the  west  !     Green  forest  land  ! 

Thus  hath  creation's  bounteous  hand  • 

Upon  thine  ample  bosom  flung 

Charms,  such  as  were  her  gift  when  the  gray  world 
was  young." 


HISTORICAL  EVENTS.  29 


MENARD  COUNTY. 

The  county  of  Menard  was  taken  from  the  northwestern  part 
of  Sangamon  county,  in  1S3S,  and  includes  within  its  boundaries 
about  sixty  miles  of  the  lower  part  of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  a 
part  of  Salt  creek.  It  was  bounded  on  the  north  by  Tazewell 
county,  on  the  south  by  part  of  Sangamon  county,  on  the  north- 
west by  Schuyler  and  Fulton  counties.  It  towns  are  Petersburg, 
New  Salem  and  Athens. 

TAZEWELL    COUNTY. 

From  which  the  northern  part  of  Mason  was  taken,  was  origin- 
ally bounded  on  the  north  by  Putnam  county,  east,  by  McLean, 
south,  by  Sangamon,  and  west,  by  Peoria  and  Fulton,  from  which 
it  was  seperated  by  the  Illinois  river.  Its  length  from  north  to 
south  was  forty-eight  miles,  and  from  east  to  west,  on  its  southern 
boundary,  forty-five  miles,  and  on  its  northen,  ten  miles.  Its  area 
is  about  twelve  hundred  and  twenty  square  miles.  Tremont  was 
the  county  seat,  about  ten  miles  east  of  the  Illinois  river,  and 
nearly  the  centre  of  the  county.  It  was  laid  out  in  1835,  and  in 
1S37  contained  seventy  houses,  and  about  three  hundred  inhabit- 
ants. The  other  towns,  in  the  original  limits  of  the  county,  were 
Pekin,  Wesley  city,  Havana,  Mackinaw,  Dillon,  Bloomingdale, 
Washington,  Detroit  and  Hanover. 

Mackinaw  was  the  original  county  seat,  before  it  was  removed 
to  Tremont.  The  town  contained  about  one  hundred  inhabit- 
ants. 


MASON    COUNTY. 


Was  the  result  of  the  union  of  the  counties  of  Sangamon  and 
Tazewell  and  Menard,  and  was  born  from  the  two  latter,  by  an 
act  approved  January  20,  1S41.  Parts  of  Menard  were  used  in  its 
construction.  The  adjoining  counties,  or  the  territory  now  form- 
ing the  adjoining  counties,  were  all  settled  prior  to  Mason.  In 
1S30  to  1835  there  did  not  reside  in  the  present  limits  of  Mason 
county  to  exceed  twenty-five  families.  Some  years  later,  in  1S40 
to  1S45,  the  tide  of  emigration  and  the  progress  of  development 
was  begun  which  has  so  rapidly  increased,  and  placed  Mason 
county  in  her  present  enviable  position  among  the  leading  counties 
in  the  State  of  Illinois. 

The  best  information  now  obtainable,  indicates  that  Mr.  Osian 
M.  Ross  was  the  first  permanent  white  settler,  and  located  at  Ha- 
vana, in  the  spring  of  1S29. 

Where  the  city  of  Havana  now  stands  was  a  wilderness  at  that 
time,  and  was  long  after  known  as  Ross'  Ferry.  To  illustrate  the 
primitiveness  of  this  region  at  that  time,  we  will  here  note  that  the 
first  Postoffice  was  established  in  the  county  in  the  fall  of  1S29, 
Osian  M.  Ross,  Postmaster. 

The  present  city  of  Chicago  was  then  Fort  Dearborn,  and  Cook 
county  and  its  surroundings  had  no  Postoffice  in  their  limits.  The 
first  Postoffice  in  Cook  county  was  established  in  1S31. 

Two  offices  were  in  Fulton  county  in  1S30.  McLean  had  no 
office  in  1S30;  neither  had  LaSalle  county  an  office  in  her  then  ex- 
tended territory.  McDonough  and  Mercer  were  without  Post- 
offices.  Peoria  county  had  an  office  at  Peoria,  Norman  Hyde, 
Postmaster.  Mackinaw,  then  the  county  seat  of  Tazewell  county, 
had  a  Postoffice  in  1S30  and  earlier.  In  that  year  there  were  but 
one  hundred  and  thirty  offices  in  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  31 

The  offices  were  mostly  in  the  central  and  southern  part  of  the 
State,  where  the  earliest  settlements  were  established. 

Mr.  John  Williams,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  informs  me,  that  in 
1825  he  was  a  clerk  in  the  office  in  that  city.     They  received  mails 
twice  a  week,  and  the  surrounding  regions  were  on  hand  for  their 
mails   at  these  arrivals.     Though   the  first  white    settlers   located  I 
here  permanently  in  1829,  this  region  had  been  traversed  by  white  j 
men  long   before  that  date.     Father  Hennepin,  with  two  compan- 
ions,  passed  down  the   Illinois  river  in    16S0.     LaSalle  and  others,/ 
early  explorers,   traded  with   the   Indians  along  the  banks  of  the/ 
Illinois,  and  at  various  succeeding  periods. 

In    1S33  a  few  other  families  settled  in  this  vicinity.     Dr.  Chand- 
ler  located  where  the  town  of  Chandlerville  is,  in    1832.     A  maris, 
named  Myers  came  to    Havana,  also,  the   Krebaum  family,  about  \ 
this  date.     A  Mr.  Shepherd  and  Mr.  Westervelt  located  at  Matan- 
zas  about  this  time,  and   Mr.  Barnes  at  the   Mounds,  north  of  this 
city.     For  the  experiences  and  further  details  of  the  first  settlers, 
we  refer   the  reader  to  the   Biographical  department  of  this  work. 
These  early  settlers  were  not  troubled  by  the   Indians  to  any  seri- 
ous extent,  as  in  some  other  parts  of  the  State,  as   nearly  all  had 
left  prior  to  the  arrival  of  the  first  white  settlers.     A  couple   of  \ 
blockhouses,  for  defense,  had  been  erected  at  Havana,  previous  toy 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  stood  for  many  yeai-s.     The  first  school  \ 
house,  erected  for  the  purpose  of  public  instruction,  was  on  what  is  ] 
now  the  Court  House  square.     As  population  increased,  these  facili- 
ties were   multiplied,  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  pioneer.     The  first 
school  houses  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  were  built  at  Crane 
creek  and   Big  Grove,  and  were  known  as  the   Turner  and  Virgin 
school  houses.     These  were  the  voting  places  for  the  election  pre- 
eincts  in  which  they  were  situated,  and  supplied  the  place  of  church 
edifices  for  religious  services.     The  log  school  house  at  Big  Grove 
was  built  in  the  latter  part  of  1838.     Mr.  Lease,  Sr.,  was  the  first 
teacher.     A  school  was  taught  in  the  vicinity,  however,  at  an  earlier 
date,  at  the   residence  of  Edward   Sykes  (see   Biography),   by  his 
daughter,  Mary   A.,  then  a  girl  of  fourteen,  now  the  intelligent, 
talented  and  amiable  wife  of  S.  D.  Swing,  Esq.,  of  Mason  city. 

Churches  were  not  erected  at  so  early  a  date,  though  religious 
services  were  not  neglected,  but  were  held  at  the  residences  of  the 
settlers,  or  in  the  groves  which  were  God's  first  temples.  The  first 
ministers  transiently  visiting   this  county  were,  Rev.   Peter  Cart 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


wright,  who  preached  at  Havana,  in  1835,  and  at  various  times 
since,  to  near  the  date  of  his  death.  Rev.  John  Jenkins,  from  Ful- 
ton countv,  may  have  visited  here  at  an  earlier  date.  In  1S36,  Rev. 
J.  A.  Daniels,  now  a  resident  of  Bath,  organized  a  Baptist  church 
at  Sny  Carte,  assisted  by  Rev.  Thos.  Taylor,  now  of  Oregon. 
The  original  members  were  Wm.  Davis  and  wife,  Richard  Phelps 
and  wife,  Mr.  Smith  and  wife,  the  parents  of  Mark  A.  Smith,  Esq., 
now  of  that  vicinity,  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Phelps.  A  very  pleasant  fact 
connected  with  that  organization  is,  that  Mr.  Daniels,  the  first  min- 
ister, is  the  pastor  of  it  to  this  day,  a  period  of  forty  years,  with  the 
exception  of  a  brief  absence.  Thus  have  they  labored  together,  in 
the  good  work  before  them,  knowing  in  whom  they  trusted.  Ir- 
regular services  were  held  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  by 
different  ministers,  at  various  times  and  places.  A  Baptist  church  ] 
was  built  on  Crane  creek,  in  1S56.  The  old  Methodist  church,  in 
Havana,  and  a  Presbyterian  church,  at  Bath,  were  built  at  an 
earlier  date,  and  were,  as  near  as  we  can  ascertain,  the  first  church 
edifices  in  the  county. 

The  present  status  of  the  county's  schools  and  churches  will  be 
Referred  to,  at  length,  in  this  work,  under  another  head. 

The  subject  of  the  formation  of  a  new  county  having  been  for 
some  time  agitated;  in  1S41,  as  before  stated,  an  act  was  passed  by 
the  Legislature,  and  duly  approved  by  the  Governor,  for  that  pur- 
pose. By  the  provisions  of  this  law  the  legal  voters  of  the  district 
which  was  to  compose  the  new  countv,  met  at  Havana  on  the  first 
Monday  in  April,  1841,  and  proceeded  to  elect  a  sheriff,  treasurer, 
and  other  county  officers.  The  sheriff  chosen  was  Francis  Low, 
still  a  resident  of  this  city,  and  President  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  and  who  had  been  acting  as  deputy  sheriff  when  part  of  the 
territory  of  the  county  lay  within  the  limits  of  Tazewell  county. 
George  T.  Virgin,  John  R.  Chaney  and  Abner  Baxter  were 
county  commissioners.  Joseph  A.  Phelps  was  the  first  county 
clerk,  and  subsequently,  at  a  meeting  of  the  circuit  court,  he  was 
appointed  circuit  clerk  by  the  presiding  judge.  The  population  of 
Mason  county  at  the  time  of  its  organization,  as  near  as  can  be  as- 
certained, was  about  two  thousand,  and  at  this  election  about  four 
hundred  votes  were  cast. 

It  was  also  directed  by  the  Legislature  that  at  the  same  time  and 
place  a  vote  should  be  taken  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the 
location  of  the  county  seat.     Here  began  a  struggle  and   a  rivalry 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  33 

continuing  many  years,  which  was  far  from  creditable  to  the  par- 
ties engaged  therein,  on  either  side.  They  endeavored  to  accom- 
plish by  foul  means  what  could  not  be  accomplished  by  fair.  It 
was  the  source  of  rivalry  between  the  friends  of  the  towns  which 
were  the  candidates  for  the  seat  of  justice.  The  two  towns  which 
were  the  competitors  for  the  county  seat  were  Havana  and  Bath. 
The  contest  was  exciting,  but  the  former  was  successful. 

A  bond  donating  a  block  of  lots  adjoining  the  public  square,  was 
executed  by  L.  W.  &  H.  L.  Ross.  Thus  Havana  was  elected  the 
county  seat.  It  did  not,  however,  long  retain  that  honor.  Dissat- 
isfaction in  the  defeated  town  waxed  strong  and  violent. 

Agitation  was  kept  up,  and  an  act,  approved  January  19,  1843, 
was  obtained  from  the  legislature,  authorizing  another  election  on 
the  second  Monday  of  February,  of  that  year.  Polls  were  opened 
in  Havana,  Bath  and  Linchburg,  where  votes  were  received  for 
and  against  Bath  and  Havana  for  county  seat.  The  votes  of  Hava- 
na were  for  that  town,  and  those  at  the  others  were  against  it  being 
the  county  seat.  Bath  received  a  majority  of  the  votes,  and  was 
declared  the  county  seat.  They  soon  had  the  records  removed  to 
that  town.  The  June  term  of  the  circuit  court,  1844,  was  held  at 
Bath;  the  term  for  the  previous  year  had  been  held  at  Havana. 
Bath  continued  the  county  seat  for  eight  years.  Havana  still  had 
aspirations  for  the  seat  of  justice,  and  in  February,  185 1,  legisla- 
tion was  obtained  which  ordered  another  election  on  the  second 
Monday  in  March,  1851,  at  which  the  question  was  again  before 
the  people  for  or  against  removal.  This  election,  conducted  as  un- 
fairly as  the  former  one,  resulted  in  again  making  Havana  the 
county  seat,  which  it  has  continued  to  be.  The  last  term  of  court 
held  in  Bath  was  in  November,  1850.  The  May  term  following  / 
was  held  in  Havana. 

The  first  term  of  circuit  court  ever  held  in  Havana  was  at  the 
hotel  of   Osian   M.   Ross,  beginnning   November   12,  1841,  S.  H. 
Treat,  Judge.     The  official  bond  of  Joseph  A.  Phelps,  first  circuit/ 
clerk,  was  dated  April  9,  1841. 

Grand  Jurors  at  the  June  term  of  county  court  ordered  for  the 
November  term,  1841,  were  as  follows: 

James  Walker,  Daniel  Clark,  Sr., 

Ira  Halstcd,  •   Michael  Swing, 

Austin  P.  Melton,  P.  W.  Campbell, 

William  Dew,  John  G.  Conover, 

—5 


j 


34  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUXTY. 


Thomas  F.  Blunt,  Anderson  Young, 

Lemuel  D.  Becket,  George  Marshall, 

G.  W.  Phelps,  Edmund  Northern, 

A.  Hickey,  Hodge  Sherman, 

William  Hibbs,  William  Atwater, 

Thomas  Low,  John  Rishel, 

Daniel  Dieffenbacher,  Pulaski  Scovil, 

Daniel  Bell. 
The  following  were  ordered  for  a  petit  jury  at  the  same  Novem- 
ber term,  1S41,  second  Monday  of  November: 

George  Close,  Israel  Carman, 

Henry  Sears,  O.  E.  Foster, 

A.  W.  Hemp,  Thomas  Falkner, 

James  Russel,  James  Yardly, 

Laban  Blunt,  John  Close, 

Washington  Davies,  Jacob  H.  Cross, 

James  Ray,  James  Lockerman, 

Benjamin  Lesson,  John  Johnson, 

Frederick  Buck,  David  Coder, 

William  Chaney,  James  Blakely, 

Nelson  Abbey,  Samuel  Patton, 

William  Rodgers,  H.  C.  Rowland, 

Francis  Low,  Sheriff  and  Collector  of  taxes. 
Collector's  bond,  $1,500.     O.  E.  Foster  and  J.  H.  Netler,  securi- 
ties.    Approved  July  6,  1 84 1. 

County  Commissioners  in  1S41 :  Robert  Falkner,  A.  J.  Field, 
George  T.  Virgin. 

County  Commissioners  in  1844:  John  R.  Chaney,  Abner  Bax- 
ter, Amos  Smith. 

County  Commissioners  in  1S45:  Abner  Baxter,  Amos  Smith, 
R.  McReynolds. 

At  this  date  we  find  the  following  order:  "That  Joseph  A. 
Phelps  be  allowed,  for  use  of  room  to  hold  court  in,  one  dollar  per 
day  for  two  and  a  half  days.     Total,  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents." 

County  Commissioners  in  1846:  Amos  Smith,  Robert  McRey- 
nolds, Henry  Norris. 

Bond  of  Adolph  Krcbaum  filed  for  county  clerk  August  2S, 
1847.     Sworn  into  office  September  6,  3847. 

Count v  Commissioners  in  184S  and  1S49:  R.  McReynolds, 
Amos  Smith,  Henry  Norris. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  35 

I  "  ' 

November  28,  1849:  Smith  Turner,  County  Judge,  and  John 
Pemberton  and  Robert  McReynolds,  Associates.  These  continued 
till  the  2Sth  of  November,  1853,  when  N.  J.  Rockwell,  County 
Judge,  and  Daniel  Corey  and  J.  H.  Daniels,  Associates. 

The  bond  of  Isaac  N.  Onstot,  County  Clerk,  bears  date  Novem- 
ber 29,  1853.    James  H.  Hole's  bond  as  Collector  filed  December 

5>  l854- 
June   5,   1855:      County  Judge,  N.  J.    Rockwell.      Associates, 

H.  C.  Burnham,  J.  H.  Daniels. 

The  vacancy  in  the  clerkship  caused  by  the  death  of  Isaac  N. 
Onstot,  filled  by  Adolph  Krebaum,  by  order  of  the  court,  Novem- 
ber 7,  1856.  J.  P.  West,  Collector  and  Sheriff.  Adolph  Kre'- 
baum  elected  for  a  full  term,  and  sworn  into  office  March,  1S57. 

The  following  persons  have  filled  the  office  of  Circuit  Clerk 
since  the  organization  of  the  county,  in  the  order  in  which  they  are 
named,  viz:  Joseph  A.  Phelps,  John  S.  Wilbourn,  Richard  Ritter, 
O.  H.  Wright,  John  H.  Havighorst,  George  A.  Blanchard,  and 
Leonard  Schwenk,  the  present  competent  and  gentlemanly  incum- 
bent. 

The  gentlemen  who  have  served  Mason  county  in  the  capacity  of 
Sheriff  are  named  below,  ad  seriatum  :  Francis  Low,  who  had, 
also,  been  deputy  when  this  formed  a  part  of  Tazewell  county; 
Isaac  H.  Hodge,  John  H.  Havighorst,  Robert  Elkins,  Robert  H. 
Walker,  James  H.  Hole,  J.  Price  West,  John  H.  Havighorst, 
Joseph  Y.  Hauthorn,  John  H.  Havighorst,  James  L.  Hastings, 
Lambert  M.  Hillyer,  David  B.  Phelps,  John  H.  Cleveland  and 
Lambert  M.  Hillyer,  whose  efficiency  and  competency  has  placed 
him  in  this  position  the  third  term,  which  expires  this  fall. 

The  Judges  of  the  county  court,  since  the  term  of  Judge  Rock- 
well, before  given,  are:  Joseph  A.  Phelps,  Mathew  Langston, 
H.  Warner  and  John  A.  Mallory,  who  is  the  present  incumbent, 
and  serving  his  second  term. 

The  Judges  of  the  circuit  court  since  the  organization  of  the 
countyin  1841,  are:  Samuel  Treat, William  A.  Marshall, Pinckney 
H.  Walker,  James  Harriot,  Charles  Turner  and  Lyman  Lacy,  the 
able  and  popular  present  Judge  of  this  judicial  district. 

The  County  Clerks  have  been:  Joseph  A.  Phelps,  Adolph 
Krebaum,  Isaac  N.  Onstot,  Adolph  Krebaum,  W.  W.  Stout, 
S.  Elliott,  Isaac  N.  Mitchell,  William  M.  Ganson,  who  is  the  pres- 
ent very  efficient  incumbent. 


$6  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

A  vote  for  and  against  the  adoption  of  township  organiza- 
tion was  taken  November  11,  1861,  to  take  effect  April,  1S62. 
Commissioners  to  divide  into  townships  were:  B.  H.  Gatton, 
Mathew  Langston  and  Lyman  Lacy. 

Since  then  the  following  have  heen  County  Treasurers,  viz: 
J.  D.  W.  Bowman,  S.  Wheadon,  B.  A.  Rosebrough,  Isaac  N. 
Mitchell,  Benjamin  F.  West  and  Samuel  Bivens,  the  present 
Treasurer. 

The  School  Commissioners  and  County  Superintendents  have 
been:  S.  D.  Swing,  E.  B.  Harpham,  S.  C.  Conwell,  S.  Wheadon, 
O.  H.  Wright,  W.  E.  Knox.  IT.  H.  Moore,  and  S.  M.  Badger,  the 
present  incumbent. 

MASON  COUNTY  DIRECTORY,  1S76. 

Circuit  Judge Hon.  Lyman  Lacey 

Circuit  Clerk Leonard  Schwenk. 

Prosecuting  Attorney W.  II.  Rogers. 

Sheriff " L.  M.  Hillyer. 

County  Judge J-  A.  Mallory. 

Count}-  Clerk W.  M.  Ganson. 

County  Treasurer S.  Bivens. 

County  Superintendent  Schools S.  M.  Badger. 

Master  in  Chancery J.  H.  Havighorst,  Jr. 

BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS. 

Mason  City B.  A.  Rosebrough. 

Salt  Creek A.  Thompson. 

Allen's  Grove E.  W.  Nelson. 

Sherman Alfred  Athey. 

Pennsylvania John  W.  Pugh. 

Quiver J.  W.  Kelly. 

Manito M.  Langston. 

Forest  City S.  H.  Ingersol. 

Lvnchburg Wm.  Ainsworth. 

Kilbourne A.  S.  Blakely. 

Crane  Creek J.  L.  Hawks. 

Bath Robert  Pearson. 

Havana J.  F.  Kelsey. 

The   population  of  the   county  in   1850  was  5,921.     In  the  next 
ten  years  it   nearly    doubled.      In    1S60   in  was    10,929.      In   1870  a 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  37 

further  rapid  increase  had  raised  it  to  16,250,  although  much  re- 
tarded during  this  decade  by  the  war.  The  same  ratio  of  increase 
would  place  the  population  at  this  time,  July  4,  1S76,  at  not  less 
than  23,000,  and  it  is,  perhaps,  even  higher. 

In  1870  there  were  118,218  acres  of  unimproved  lands,  and  232,- 
724  acres  improved.  There  were  5,292  horses  and  1,590  mules; 
761  sheep,  19,706  hogs,  and  7,810  cattle.  The  productions  of  the 
soil  are  treated  of  in  another  place. 

The  county  is  traversed  by  four  important  lines  of  railroad, 
which  are  treated  of  in  detail  in  a  separate  chapter. 

The  following  are  the  towns  in  Mason  county,  and  the  date  of 
their  surveys,  and  names  of  proprietors,  so  far  as  has  been  ascer- 
tained : 

Name.  Surveyed.  Proprietor. 

Havana 1835 O.  M.  Ross 

Bath I§36 J°hn  Kenton 

Moscow 1857 

Sny  Carte 

Matanzas 

Saidora 1S59 Joseph  Adkins 

Sedan 1S71 

Long  Branch 1871 Gatton  &  Ruggles 

Kilbourn 1S70 J.  B.  Gum 

Poplar  City 1873 Martin  Scott 

Biggs 1S75 P.  G.  Biggs 

Easton 1872 J.  M.  Samuels 

Teheran 1S73 Alexander  Blunt 

Mason  City 1 857 Geo.  Straut 

Sangore 1S58. Dillon  Morgan,  Parker  &  Kidder 

Natrona 1857 Conklin  &  Co. 

Walker's  Siding 

Topeka i860 Thomas  Eckard 

Bishops 

Forest  City 1862 Dearborn  &  Kemp 

Manito . .   .    1858 Cox  and  others 

Union 

Conover 1 875 

Peterville 186S Peter  Thronburgh 

Lynchburg 1S35 P.  and  G.  May 


3S  HISTORY  OK   MASON  COUNTY. 

C.  W.  Andrus,  Esq.,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  substantial  residents; 
made  his  home  in  Havana,  in  1836,  since  which  time,  a  period  of 
forty  years,  he  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  interests  of 
this  city. 

By  his  courtesy,  we  are  permitted  to  give  to  our  readers  a  copy 
of  the  poll  book  below.  The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  that  this 
was  then  included  in  the  limits  of  Tazewell  county. 

"Poll  book  of  an  election  held  at  the  town  of  Havana,  in  Ha- 
vana precinct,  in  the  county  of  Tazewell,  and  State  of  Illinois,  on 
the  7th  day  of  August,  1837.  For  County  Clerk,  John  H.  Morri- 
son. For  Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Joshua  C.  Morgan.  For 
County  Treasurer,  Lewis  Pi-ettyman.  For  Notary  Public,  Wm. 
H.  Sandusky." 

Each  of  the  above  received  twelve  votes.  The  names  of  the 
voters  on  the  poll  book  are — 

Daniel  Adams,  Henry  Shepard,  O.  E.  Foster,  N.  J.  Rockwell, 
Anson  C.  Gregory,  A.  W.  Kemp,  B.  F.  Wiggington,  V.  B. 
Homes,  C.  W.  Andrus,  Wm.  Hyde,  J.  H.  Netter  and  N 

D . 

Attests:  B.  F.  Wiggington,  )     ^T     , 

A.W.Kemp,  [    Clerks' 

"At  an  election  held  at  the  house  of  O.  E.  Foster,  in  Havana 
precinct,  in  the  county  of  Tazewell,  and  State  of  Illinois,  on  the 
7th  of  August.  1837,  the  following  named  persons  received  the 
number  of  votes  annexed  to  their  respective  names,  for  the  follow- 
ing offices,  to-wit: 

John  W.  Morrison,  twelve  votes,  for  County  Clerk.  Joshua  C. 
Morgan,  twelve  votes,  for  Probate  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Lewis 
Pretty  man,  twelve  votes,  for  County  Treasurer.  Wm.  H.  San- 
dusky, twelve  votes,  for  Notary  Public. 

Certified  by  N.  J.  Rockwell,  Henry  Shepard  and  David 
Adams,  Judges  of  Election. 

I,  N.  J.  Rockwell,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will  perform  the 
duty  of  Judge;  and  I,  B.  F.  Wiggington,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I 
will  perform  the  duty  of  Clerk  of  Election,  according  to  law,  and 
to  the  best  of  our  abilities,  and  that  we  will  studiously  endeavor  to 
prevent  fraud,  deceit  or  abuse  in  conducting  the  same. 

N.  J.  Rockwell, 

B.  F.  Wiggington. 

Sworn  by  me,  at  Havana,  Aug.  7,  1S37. 

Daniel  Adams." 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  39 

The  original  document,  of  which  the  above  is  an  exact  copy,  is 
now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Andrus.  Mr.  John  H.  Havighorst 
was  also  present  at  the  above  election,  but  had  not  yet  attained  his 
majority,  nor  was  he  naturalized.     He  is  still  a  resident  of  this  city. 

POSTOFFICES    IN    MASON    COUNTY. 

1  Havana,  in  fall  of  1829,  O.  M.  Ross,  P.  M. 

2  Bath,  in  1842,  B.  H.  Gatton,  P.  M. 

3  Long  Branch,  in  1872,  N.  S.  Philips,  P.  M.,  (discontinued.) 

4  Kilbourn,  in  1872. 

5  Biggs,  in  1873,  Wm.  Buchanan,  P.  M. 

6  Poplar  City,  in  1S73,  S.  A.  Poland,  P.  M. 

7  Easton,  in  1873,  E.  Terrell,  P.  M. 

8  Teheran,  in  1874,  W.  T.  Rich,  P.  M. 

'9  Mason  City,  in  1858,  A.  A.  Cargill,  P.  M. 

10  Sangore. 

1 1  Altoona. 

12  Topeka. 

13  Bishop's. 

14  Forest  City. 

15  Manito. 

16  Saidora,  in   1S68,  N.  C.  Bishop,  P.  M. 

17  Sny  Carte. 

18  Leases  Grove,  (discontinued  in  1S67,)  and 

19  Changed  to   Crane  Creek  in  1868. 

20  Quiver,  Samuel  Patton,  P.  M.,  discontinued. 
Stage  route  to  Mason  City,  discontinued,  1867. 

Mail  route,  by  railroad,  to  Urbana,  established  in  1873. 

Mail  route,  by  railroad,  to  Springfield,  established  Dec,  1S73. 

Mail  route,  by  railroad,  to  Petersburg,  established  June,  1873. 

mount's  mill. 

The  above  named  primitive  work  of  art  was  one  of  the  earliest 
triumphs  of  civilization  that  made  its  welcome  appearance  in  Ma- 
son county.  So  very  early  was  its  advent,  that  but  few  of  its  con- 
temporaries are  in  existence,  and  itself,  like  all  else  in  this  fleeting 
and  transitory  world,  has  passed  away. 

From  the  best  information  we  have  been  able  to  obtain,  this  mill 
was  built  in  1S31,  by  Mr.  Mounts,  on  Crane  creek,  and  it  contained 


40  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

but  one  pair  of  burrs,  or  millstones,  and  they  but  seven  inches  in 
diameter. 

The  upper  stone  was  stationary  and  the  lower  one  revolved,  to 
grind  the  corn.  It  ground  corn  only,  and  its  most  rapid  work  was 
one  and  a  half  bushels  per  hour,  and  the  meal  was  exceedingly 
coarse.  Owing  to  the  scarcity  of  mills,  in  this  then  new  country, 
it  was  patronized  from  a  large  extent  of  territory. 

On  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Scovil  in  Havana,  they  received  their 
ground  corn  from  Beardstown.  The  Falkner  family,  sometimes 
from  Fulton  county,  and  from  Mackinaw,  and  from  this  mill  in 
1S38  and  '40. 

What  time  it  ceased  to  exist,  we  have  been  unable  to  ascertain, 
but  having  served  its  day  and  generation,  like  all  else,  it  has  passed 
away. 

EARLY    SETTLEMENT    OF    SALT    CREEK    TOWNSHIP. 

The  early  settlement  of  what  is  now  the  township  of  Salt  creek 
was  in  and  around  what  was  then  so  generally  known  as  Big 
Grove.  For  a  long  time  the  improvements  wefe  all  near  the  tim- 
ber. Land  situated  three  or  four  miles  from  the  timber  was  at  a 
discount,  and  for  a  long  time  there  were  congress  lands  on  the 
prairie,  subject  to  entry,  after  all  the  land  near  the  timber  had  been 
taken  up.  The  original  settlers  never  imagined  that  the  time  would 
come  when  they  and  their  children  could  not  have  the  benefit  of 
all  the  prairies  around  Mason  City  for  stock  range.  The  first  set- 
tler was  Wm.  Hagan,  who  came  in  1830,  and  located  on  the  bottom, 
near  old  Salt  creek  bridge,  where  he  remained  till  1850,  when  he 
sold  out  to  Ephriam  Wilcox,  and  removed  to  Missouri.  None  of 
his  family  have  ever  lived  here  since.  The  farm  on  which  he 
lived  is  the  one  which  has  latterly  been  owned  and  occupied  by 
Charles  L.  Montgomery. 

Austin  P.  and  Robert  Melton  came  to  Big  Grove  in  1832. 
Austin  P.  Melton  settled  on  the  farm  afterwards  owned  by  Geo. 
Virgin,  where  he  remained  a  few  years,  and  moved  to  Tazewell 
county  and  remained  till  1S62,  when  he  moved  to  Walker's  Grove, 
in  this  county,  where  he  now  resides. 

In  1835,  Daniel  Clark,  from  Warren  county,  Ohio,  settled  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood  of  Mr.  Hagan,  and  remained  until  his 
death,  in  1S54,  leaving  three  sons,  Daniel,  now  of  Mason  City  (see 
Biography),  Alfred,  in  Crane  creek  township,  and  William,  in  Du- 
Buque,  Iowa. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  41 

In  1836,  the  Virgin's,  George,  Kinsey,  Abram  and  Rezin  all 
came  and  settled  in  the  Grove,  and  remained  till  they  died,  which 
occurred  as  follows:  Kinsey,  in  1853;  Rezin,  in  1S72;  George,  in 
1855;  and  Abram,  in  1S73;  the  latter,  the  only  one  who  left  any 
children  living  in  this  county.  He  left  three  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, all  here,  and  the  only  ones  of  that  name  in  the  county.  Kin- 
sey Virgin  left  one  daughter,  the  wife  of  James  Hoyt,  in  Cass 
county,  Iowa.  George  and  Rezin  had  no  children.  George,  for  a 
number  of  years  previous  to  his  death,  kept  a  store  at  this  place, 
first  in  a  small  log  house,  and  afterwards  in  a  frame  house  built  for 
the  purpose,  near  which  George  Young  erected  a  mill,  John 
Pritchett  a  blacksmith  shop,  and  Louis  Bushong  a  shoe  shop.  To 
all  of  these,  and  the  residences  necessary  for  themselves  and  fami- 
lies, they  gave  the  romantic  name  of  "Hiawatha." 

For  a  number  of  years  the  place  had  some  notoriety  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  the  county,  furnishing  supplies  to  many  of  the  inhab- 
itants in  the  vicinity,  but  after  the  railroad  was  located  through 
Mason  City,  instead  of  this  place,  as  originally  surveyed,  notwith- 
standing the  romance  of  its  name,  which,  though  of  Indian  origin, 
was  said  to  have  been  suggested  here  by  an  eminent  physician  of 
the  neighborhood,  the  town  gradually  dwindled  away,  till  now  Ed. 
Auxier's  cornfield  marks  the  site.     Sic  transit  gloria  mtindi. 

In  1837,  Edward  Sikes,  John  and  Eli  Auxier,  John  Y.  Swaur 
and  John  Young,  all  from   Ohio,  came  and  settled  near  the  grove. 

Edward  Sikes  settled  on  the  farm  formerly  occupied  by  Robert 
Melton,  and  now  owned  by  F.  Auxier,  where  he  since  died,  leav- 
ing a  numerous  family.  John  Auxier  settled  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  Grove,  where  he  acquired,  by  raising  and  feeding  cattle,  a  large 
tract  of  land,  where  he  died,  in  1859,  leaving  a  numerous  family, 
who  have  since  moved  to  Iowa.  Eli  Auxier  had  previously  died, 
leaving  a  widow  and  two  children,  viz :  Rev.  E.  E.  Auxier,  who 
now  owns  the  site  of  the  obsolete  town  of  Hiawatha,  and  a  dausrh- 
ter,  the  wife  of  Nelson  Dody.  John  Young  settled  in  the  western 
part  of  the  grove,  near  the  farm  of  Col.  Abner  Baxter  (who  came 
a  year  afterwards),  and  died,  leaving  a  numerous  family,  among 
whom  were  William,  who  settled  on  the  north  side  of  the  Grove, 
and  died  in  1S65,  leaving  a  family,  and  where  his  widow  (since 
married  to  Joseph  Lemley)  now  resides;  and  George,  who  was  en- 
gaged   in    the    practice  of  law  in    Mason    City,  and   died   there,    in 

1873- 
— 6 


42  HISTORY  OF  MASON    COUNTY. 


John  Y.  Swaur,  the  only  survivor  of  the  party  who  came  in 
1837,  now  lives  on  the  north  side  of  the  Grove,  where  he,  with  his 
sons,  McDonald,  William  and  George,  have  by  their  industry  and 
discretion  in  raising  and  feeding  stock,  risen  from  poverty  to  afflu- 
ence, and  become  the  possessors  of  fine  large  tracts  of  land  and 
fine  herds  of  stock. 

In  evidence  of  the  above  fact,  it  may  be  here  stated,  that  in  this 
centennial  year  they  gave  the  assessor  the  largest  personal  property 
list   in    Salt   creek   township,    where    many   large   lists  are    made. 

Among  the  early  settlers  may  also  be  named  George  II.  Short, 
who  settled  and  improved  a  farm,  adjoining  the  Hagan's  place, 
where  he  now  resides,  but  owing  to  ill  health  for  many  years,  has 
remained  closely  at  home;  and,  also,  Jonathan  M.  Logue,  famil- 
iarly called  Uncle  "Jot,"  whose  name  has  long  been  familiar  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Big  Grove;  Eli  H.  Sikes,  who  came  to  the  Grove 
with  the  Virgins,  when  he  was  quite  a  youth,  and  settled  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Grove,  married  a  daughter  of  Wm.  Warnock, 
Sen.,  and  died  in  186S,  leaving  a  widow  and  several  children  in  af- 
fluent circumstances,  the  result  of  his  industry,  and  the  inheritance 
of  his  good  name.  Suplina  Judd,  best  known  as  "Squire  Judd," 
figured  with,  and  for,  considerable  notoriety  for  several  years  on 
account  of  his  judicial  character. 

Coming  down  to  the  present  time,  there  are  but  few  persons  re- 
maining that  lived  about  Big  Grove  twenty-five  years  ago.  John 
Y.  Swaur  and  family,  before  named,  E.  E.  and  J.  W.  Virgin,  sons 
of  Abram  Virgin,  Edmund  E.,  son  of  Eli  Auxier,  Robert  A.,  son 
of  Austin  P.  Melton,  and  Ludwig  and  Wm.  L.,  sons  of  Granville 
Davis,  are  the  only  ones  remaining  of  the  original  settlers  and  their 
descendants.  While  the  place  will  compare  favorably  with  any 
locality  in  the  west  for  health,  many  have  died;  but  make  the  same 
review  of  the  changes  wrought  in  twenty-five  years,  and  the  num- 
bers who  have  died  are  below  an  average  mortality.  Since,  the 
neighborhood  has  become  somewhat  isolated,  being  five  miles  from 
a  railroad  station,  Big  Grove,  though  possessing  comparatively 
less  notoriety  than  in  former  times,  yet  these  early  settlers  have 
been  succeeded  by  a  class  of  unpretending  citizens,  that  for  indus- 
try, intelligence  and  prosperity  will  compare  favorably  with  any 
part  of  the  State,  and  consequently  of  the  world. 

Among  the  present  inhabitants  of  the  neighborhood  of  Big 
Grove,  in  addition  to   those  above  named,  are  Cortes  Hume,  Wm. 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  43 

F.  Auxier,  Wm.  P.  and  John  R.  Falkner,  John  Hill,  George 
Lumpce,  H.  C.  Burnham,  J.  A.  Hendrickson,  J.  H.  Varnholt, 
Wm.  Brown,  Aaron  Werner,  Michael  Malony,  John  McCarty,  A. 
A.  Blunt,  and  others. 

The  social  habits  of  the  place  have  of  course  changed  in  the  last 
fourth  of  the  century.  While  the  present  inhabitants  are  eager  for 
the  daily  papers,  lest  their  interests  may  be  affected  by  the  "spring" 
or  "decline"  in  the  "hog  market,"  the  pioneers  were  content  with 
mails  once  a  week,  or  less  frequently  during  bad  weather  or  high 
water.  Yet  they  had  their  social  enjoyments,  and  it  is  with  no  re- 
gret that  we  remember  listening  to  their  discussions  of  the  respect- 
ive merits  of  "gourd  seed"  and  "flint"  corn,  or  the  prominent  points 
of  a  favorite  "coon  dog." 

The  old  "timber  school  house,"  long  since  removed  but  still  re- 
membered, "Though  lost  to  sight,  to  memory  dear,"  as  the  place 
where  the  people  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  went  to  vote, 
and  the  "spirited"  manner  in  which  elections  were  sometimes  con- 
ducted, their  opinions  being  sometimes  defined,  and  arguments  en- 
forced by  physical  as  well  as  logical  means,  yet  they  never 
dreamed  of  the  crookedness  of  some  of  the  political  combinations 
of  the  present  day.  Where  now  stretch  the  broad  farms  of  those 
we  have  named,  the  writer  has  seen  growing  prairie  flowers, 

Side  by  side,  graceful,  affianced,  destined  to  meet  and  unite 
One  by  the  other,  in  beauty,  all  decked  in  their  coloring  bright, 
Reaching  and  quickening,  all  their  fragrance  is  scattering 

around, 
The  earth  is  made  proud  with  their  beauty,  rejoiced  of  its 

offspring  the  ground. 

And  now,  with  a  separate  life,  swells  proudly  each  little  shoot, 
While  veiled  in  its  sheltering  womb  lies  secret  the  germ  of  the 

fruit, 
As  they  sink  to  the  earth,  one  by  one,  the  seed  of  another  is 

sown; 
And  so  the  great  whole,  as  the  parts,  live  a  life  of  their  own. 

LYNCHBURG  TOWNSHIP. 

Among  the  first  settlers  in  Lynchburg  township  was  Nelson 
Abbey,  in  the  year  1S37.  He  built  a  log  cabin  near  where  the 
village  of  Sny  Carte  now  stands,  which  is  supposed  to  have  been 
the  first  house  in  Lynchburg  township.  During  the  next  year 
William   Rodgers  settled  near,  and  was   soon   followed  by  John 


44  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

Rodgers,  his  brother.  There  also  came,  in  1S3S,  Amos  Smith,  Sr., 
with  his  sons,  Amos,  Jr.,  and  B.  F.,  who  settled  in  the  same  vicinity. 
Then  came  John  Camp  and  Richard  J.  Phelps.  Then  William 
Davis,  James  D.  Reeves  and  George  W.  Phelps,  all  making  a  set- 
tlement in  a  radius  of  about  four  miles.  Amos  Smith,  Sr.,  died  in 
the  fall  of  1S41.  Amos  Smith,  Jr.,  was  elected  Magistrate  for 
Linchburg  precinct,  on  the  first  organization  of  Mason  county,  the 
same  year,  which  office  he  continued  to  hold  until  his  death,  in 
1 85 1.  He  was  also  a  county  commissioner  on  the  first  organiza- 
tion. B.  F.  Smith,  before  named,  engaged  in  farming  and  car- 
pentering, accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  died.  March,  1867. 
His  only  surviving  descendant,  Benjamin  B.  Smith,  resides  on 
the  old  farm.  The  Smith  family  emigrated  from  Rochester,  Wind- 
sor county,  Vermont. 

Most  of  the  early  settlers  of  Linchburg  came  west  poor,  and  the 
trials  and  hardships  of  improving  new  farms  on  these  frontiers  were 
very  great  without  the  accustomed  conveniences  of  the  east.  It 
was  common  to  walk  several  miles  and  back,  in  the  wet  grass,  be- 
fore breakfast,  to  get  up  the  oxen  for  the  plow. 

Their  milling  was  done  at  Sugar  creek,  in  Schuyler  county;  on 
Spoon  river,  in  Fulton;  Painter  creek,  in  Cass  county;  and,  in 
later  years,  at  Quiver,  in  Mason  county. 

This  locality  also  suffered  severely  from  chills  and  fever,  which 
was  no  respecter  of  persons. 

To  describe  the  early  elections  of  Lynchburg  would  be  to  repeat 
what  we  said  on  the  preceding  pages  on  the  early  elections  of  Salt 
creek,  that  their  arguments  were  more  forcible  than  elegant,  but 
always  conducted  with  energy.     (See  biography  of  M.  A.  Smith.) 

FOREST  CITY. 

Forest  City  is  situated  on  the  Peoria,  Pekin  and  Jacksonville 
Railroad,  and  laid  out  at  the  time  of  its  first  construction,  and  is 
seventeen  miles  from  Pekin  and  thirteen  from  Havana.  It  was  in 
what  was  originally  Mason  Plains  precinct,  but  by  an  act  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  in  1S73,  it  was  changed  to  Forest  City  town- 
ship. The  original  town  plat  was  purchased  by  Walker,  Kemp, 
Waggenseller  and  Wright,  in  Havana,  and  surveyed  in  1859. 
D.  S.  Broderic  purchased  forty  acres  of  W.  R.  Nikirk,  and  in 
1S66  had  the  same  surveyed  as  Broderic's  addition  to  Forest  City. 
The  town  is  favorably  situated,  geographically,  for  a  fine  commcr- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  K 


cial  centre  of  as  rich  an  agricultural  region  as  the  county  affords, 
and  has  a  fine  trade  in  all  departments  usual  in  country  towns. 

The  growth  of  Mason  City  deducted  from  its  trade  on  the  east, 
and  points  on  the  I.,  B.  and  W.  R.  R.  did  the  same  on  the  south, 
but  this  was  more  than  compensated  for  by  the  very  rapid  improve- 
ment of  its  immediate  vicinity.  The  present  population  is  about 
two  hundred. 

The  first  business  house  was  built  by  A.  Cross  &  Co.;  the  second 
by  E.  T.  Nikirk.  There  is,  in  addition  to  the  above,  G.  W.  Pem- 
berton,  family  groceries,  T.  A.  Gibson,  hardware  and  grain  dealer, 
J.  Miller,  dealer  in  grain,  V.  H.  Maxwell,  family  groceries,  John 
Gavin,  family  groceries,  Limbach  &  Maxwell,  dry  goods  and  gro- 
ceries, Patrick  Kane,  family  groceries,  Eli  T.  Nikirk  &  Son, 
agents  for  the  P.,  P.  and  J.  Railroad,  and  F.  M.  Ellsworth,  black- 
smith, (and  the  first  in  the  place,)  and  others,  whose  names  we  did 
not  reach.  The  physicians  of  Forest  City  are  Drs.  James  S.  Wal- 
ker and  G.  S.  Mosteller,  both  very  competent  and  educated  mem- 
bers of  their  profession.     (See  biography  of  Walker  family.) 

Among  the  first  settlers  of  this  locality  were  Mr.  Nikirk  and 
John  Bowser,  both  of  Seneca  county,  Ohio,  who  located  here 
twenty-three  or  four  years  ago.  Mr.  Nikirk  purchased  the  entire 
landed  estate  of  W.  G.  Green,  now  of  Menard  county,  Illinois. 
The  purchase  was  made  in  1S52,  and  in  1S55  Mr.  Nikirk  died, 
leaving  nearly  two  thousand  acres  of  land  to  his  family.  Twenty 
years  afterwards  Elizabeth,  his  widow,  died,  leaving  her  children 
pleasant  and  comfortable  homes,  nearly  all  in  sight  of  the  old 
homestead. 

The  Nikirk  sons  are  among  the  most  substantial  farmers  and 
business  men  of  that  vicinity,  and  it  is  with  great  personal  gratifi- 
cation that  we  here  record  them  all  pleasant,  genial  gentlemen, 
whose  acquaintance  we  have  ever  valued,  and  whose  sociability  and 
hospitality  we  ever  appreciate. 

Mr.  Bowser  is  residing  on  the  farm  first  purchased,  in  affluent 
circumstances,  a  most  substantial  citizen,  possessed  of  many  broad 
acres  of  rich  land  within  sight  of  his  pleasant  home,  surrounded  by 
all  that  makes  life  desirable,  and  that  contributes  to  human  happi- 
ness. We  have  had  a  personal  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Bowser  for 
nearly  thirty-five  years.  On  that  acquaintance,  we  must  say,  we 
have  only  known  him  as  a  neighbor,  a  gentleman  and  friend. 

The  business  directory  of  Forest  City  is  as  follows:  J.Jackson, 
Justice  of  the  Peace;  M.  Gordon,  also  Justice  of  the  Peace;  W.  S. 


46  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


Reed  and  B.  Heicks,  Constables.  We  also  note  among  her  prom- 
inent mechanics:  J.  A.  Beard,  builder  and  contractor;  J.Jackson, 
carpenter;  T.  G.  Onstot,  dealer  in  lumber,  lime,  cement,  etc.  The 
substantial  character  of  the  business  men  of  Forest  City,  and  it 
being  the  centre  of  a  rich  agricultural  region,  enjoying  a  fine  local 
trade,  it  bids  fair  to  hold  its  present  prominent  position  in  the  busi- 
ness interests  of  Mason  county. 

CROP     STATISTICS,    ETC.,    IN     THE      EARLY     HISTORY     OF      MASON 

COUNTY. 

A  statement  of    the    property   assessed   and    taxes   charged    in 
Mason  county  for  the  year  1S53: 

Articles.                                                  No.  Amount. 

Horses 2,316  $99,862  00 

Neat  cattle 5i°52  53*1  H  °° 

Mules  and  asses 170  7A°°  °° 

Sheep 1  ,SSo  ^879  00 

Hogs • 1&6'5  J5>387  °° 

Carriages  and  Wagons 959  29,105  00 

Clocks  and  watches 763  4,1 10  00 

Merchandise 42,015  00 

Manufactured  articles ^850  00 

Moneys  and  credits 109,817  00 

Unenumerated  property 39,161  00 

Aggregate $399)73°  °° 

Deductions 46,01 1  00 

$353>7 19  °° 

Lands $92 1 ,689  20 

Town  lots 9°?524  °° 

Total  lands  and  lots $1,012,213  3° 

$I>365>°33  2° 
The  following  statement  of   the  amounts  of    corn    and   wheat 
raised  in  this  county  in  1853,  is  the  aggregate  from   the  Assessor's 
lists : 

Number  of  bushels  corn  in  1S53 1,158,400 

Number  of  bushels  wheat  in  1S53 187,64s 

Total 1 ,246,048 


HISTORY  OF  MASON*COUNTY.  47 

Corn,  at  2S  cents,  amounts  to $324,371  60 

Wheat,  at  90  cents,  amounts  to ... . i68,SS3  20 

Total $493,254  80 

Robert  McReynolds. 

Assessor  of  Mason  Co. 

"Twenty  years  previous,  the  region  of  country  then — in  1853 — 
known  as  Mason  county  was  one  unbroken  wilderness.  Here  and 
there,  near  the  point  of  some  timber,  near  the  bank  of  some  creek 
or  stream,  the  log  cabin  of  the  pioneer,  with  a  few  acres  of  land 
beginning  to  be  cultivated,  was  the  only  indication  of  civilization. 
The  government  owned  the  land,  and  $1  25  per  acre  was  no  in- 
ducement to  settlers  so  long  as  any  quantity  of  what  was  considered 
vastly  better  soil  could  be  purchased  at  the  same  price.  Emigrants 
avoided  these  plains  and  sandridges  as  unworthy  their  notice.  The 
productive  qualities  of  the  soil  had  not  been  tested,  and  very  few 
were  willing  to  run  the  risk  and  make  the  experiment.  It  was  not 
until  land  was  growing  scarce,  in  what  were  considered  more 
favored  localities,  that  purchases  began  to  be  made  here.  The  set- 
tler very  soon  found,  however,  that  his  prejudices  were  unfounded — 
that  the  forbidding  apjDearance  of  the  surface  was  a  false  indica- 
tion— that  an  exuberance  of  productive  power  was  here  disguised 
under  an  exterior  show  of  poverty.  The  facts  becoming  known, 
the  settlers  flocked  in,  and  have  continued  to  come,  until  now — 1S53 
— there  is  scarcely  any  unentered  lands  to  be  found  anywhere  in 
the  county.  Thousands  of  acres  have  been  taken  up  by  specula- 
tors, in  the  confident  expectation  of  realizing  a  fortune  by  selling 
again.  Men  who  were  conversant  with  this  state  of  things,  sixteen, 
or  even  ten  years  ago,  are  astonished  to  behold  the  changes  even 
ten  years  have  wrought;  any  amount  of  land  that  then  could  have 
been  purchased  at  government  price,  is  now  held  at  from  10  to  25 
dollars  joer  acre,  and  no  anxiety  to  sell  at  that  price.  There  has 
been  a  steady,  uniform  and  onward  progress.  Many  a  farmer  who 
came  here  a  few  years  ago,  with  barely  sufficient  means  to  enter  a 
small  tract,  forty  or  eighty  acres,  or  perhaps  a  quarter  section,  is 
now  in  comfortable  circumstances;  some  of  them  rich — became  so 
by  agriculture.  Mason  county  may  safely  challenge  the  State,  and 
if  the  State,  the  world,  to  raise  better  crops,  with  the  same  amount 
of  cultivation.  Indeed,  the  very  fertility  of  the  soil  induces  a  sys- 
tem of  farming,  that   in  a  soil  of  less  strength  would   be  less   than 


48  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

useless.  Scientific  agriculture  has  as  yet  received  very  little  atten- 
tion from  our  farmers,  and  though  we  are  happy  to  be  able  to  re- 
cord the  fact  that  a  movement  has  recently  been  made  by  a  few, 
which,  if  carried  out,  will  tend  greatly  to  improve  the  modes  of  op- 
eration in  this,  the  most  beneficial  of  all  the  branches  of  human  in- 
dustry. Under  the  best  system  of  management  that  science  has 
yet  discovered,  the  farmers  of  the  older  States  are  not  able  to  com- 
pete with  ours  who  have  taken  very  little  trouble  in  reference  to 
the  matter.  How  vastly  more  productive  our  virgin  soil  might  be 
made  by  a  practical  application  of  all  the  knowledge  that  is  attain- 
able on  this  subject." 

STATEMENT    OF     THE     FINANCIAL    AFFAIRS     OF     MASON    COUNTY, 

JUNE    30,    1S57. 

By  amount  of  cash  in  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of 

county $2,691    71 

Amount  of  county  revenue  for  1856 5v+66  55 

$S,i4S  26 
Amount  paid    by  J.    P.   West,  Col- 
lector, as  part  of  revenue  for  1856.  .$4,350  78 

County  orders  unredeemed 1i952  2I 

Jury  certificates 112  70 

$6,415  69 

Balance  in  favor  of  county $1,723  57 

Adolph  Krebaum, 

Clerk. 
The   progress  of  agriculture  in  this  county  and  in  the   State  has 
more  than  exceeded  the  expectations  of  the  most  sanguine.     In  the 
year  1867,  we  compiled  from  statistical  reports  the  following,  as  to 

THE  CROPS  IN  ILLINOIS. 

Our  people  have  but  little  conception  of  the  amount  of  produce 
raised  in  our  State.  They  know  the  soil  is  prolific,  and  that  in  their 
immediate  vicinity  there  is  a  great  yield.  Further  than  this,  thev 
have  no  idea  of  the  aggregate  of  the  crops  of  the  State.  It  would 
astonish  most  of  them  to  be  told  that  last  year  there  were  in  Illi- 
nois 4,931,783  acres  of  corn  planted,  and  that  the  product  from 
these  acres  amounts  to  155,844,350  bushels;  2,195,263  acres  were 
cropped  with   wheat,  yielding  28,551,421    bushels;  rye  spread  over 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  49 

43,721,  giving1  666,455  bushels,  enough  to  make  whisky  sufficient 
to  demoralize  the  whole  State.  In  oats  there  were  883,952  acres, 
producing  30,054,370  bushels. 

Barley  occupied  41,510  acres,  giving  1,037,753  bushels.  Buck- 
wheat, 16,250  acres,  raising  273,010  bushels.  Potatoes  took  up 
58,982  acres,  and  yielded  4,102,035  bushels.  The  hay  crop  covered 
1,591,880  acres,  and  turned  off  2,340,063  tons,  and  25,578  acres 
were  in  tobacco,  yielding  17,546,981  pounds.  The  crops  above 
enumerated  occupied  9,788,920  acres,  valued  at  $160,148,704.  In 
this  statement  there  is  no  account  taken  of  the  various  fruit  crops 
for  which  our  State  is  so  famous.  With  these  counted  in,  the  value 
of  our  products  would  be  considerably  swollen,  and  we  should 
show  a  wealth  of  agricultural  products  which  cannot  be  rivaled  by 
any  State  in  the  Union. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  not  more  than  one-sixth  of  our  land 
is  under  cultivation,  if  there  is  more  than  one  acre  in  seven.  Truly, 
our  State  is  a  giant,  rich  in  soil,  and  teeming  with  muscle  and  in- 
tellect. Running  through  five  degrees  of  latitude,  we  present  a 
climate  and  variety  of  soils  which  are  truly  the  admiration  of  our 
sister  States.  From  Galena  to  Cairo  we  present  the  various  fruits 
and  products  raised  in  the  temperate  climates.  Our  grazing  fields 
are  not  to  be  surpassed  by  any  in  the  world.  Our  cotton  grows 
luxuriantly,  and  our  hemp,  flax  and  tobacco  are  fast  becoming 
staple  articles. 

In  this  showing  no  mention  has  been  made  of  our  sorghum  crop. 
The  number  of  acres  in  this  article  has  not  been  ascertained;  yet, 
from  all  we  can  gather,  a  large  surface  must  have  been  put  in,  and 
the  yield  highly  flattering  and  remunerative.  The  root  crops,  too, 
have  not  been  considered,  and  yet  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  thous- 
ands of  acres  were  devoted  to  them  last  year,  and  that  the  value  of 
their  products  reached  millions  of  dollars. 

Who  can  say  that  the  dwellers  in  our  State  should  not  be  proud 
of  her?  Her  broad  and  beautiful  prairies,  and  her  groves  of  luxu- 
riant timber,  are  objects  over  which  we  can  feel  a  just  pride.  In 
all  that  goes  to  make  up  a  great  State,  we  can  be  excelled  in  but 
few,  if  any  particulars.  Our  soil,  our  railroads,  and  other  facilities, 
besides  bordering  on  a  great  inland  sea,  peculiarly  fit  Illinois  for 
the  title  of  the  Empire  State  of  the  great  Northwest. 

—7 


50  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

From   the   Mason   county  Herald,  December,    1S54,  we  extract 

the  following  statement  of   the  exports  of   Havana  for  the  year 
1854: 

Exports.         Bu.  to  Chicago.        Bu.  St.  Louis.  Total  bu. 

Wheat 57,3S6  57,386 

Corn   323ol8                   3S,Soo  362,318 

Oats 4,800                   20,000  24,800 

Rye 3,500               3,000  6,500 

Potatoes 3,000  3,000 

Beans 1 ,000  1 ,000 


Total  bushels.  .  .331, SiS  123,186  455,004 

Exports.  To  St.  Louis. 

Hides   500 

Butter 6,000  lbs. 

Rags 7,000  lbs. 

Lard 300  bbls. 

Bulk  meat >3°o  pieces. 

Articles  manufactured  in  Havana  and  sold  in  the  year  1SS4: 

Cooperage,  valued  at $2,000 

Saddlery,  valued  at 5,000 

Plows,  valued  at ^,000 

Boots  and  Shoes,  valued  at 6,000 

Stoves  and  Tinware,  valued  at 10,000 

Sundries,  valued  at 4,000 


Total $31 ,000 

Lumber  sold — 1,500,000  feet;  worth  $33,000. 

Exports  of  Bath  for  1854.     Reported  by  G.  H.  Campbell: 

Corn 200,000  bu. 

Wheat 25,000  bu. 

Rye 4o°o  bu. 

Oats t 6,000  bu. 

Pork  slaughtered,  over  two  thousand  head.  Bath  has  one  steam 
flouring  mill  and  two  steam  saw  mills. 

The  population  of  Mason  county  in  1S45  was  3'x355  m  1^5°  m 
was  vQ2i ;  in  1S54  it  was  estimated  at  S,ooo. 

In  1S4S  Havana  contained  151  population. 

In  1S50  Havana  contained  462  population. 

In  1S54  Havana  contained  Soo  population.     (Estimated.) 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY 


51 


From  the  books  of  the  State  Auditor  we  eet  the  following  as  to 
the  number  of  domestic  animals  on  the  first  of  May,  1S76,  and 
the  number  of  acres  in  grain  last  year. 

In  Mason  county  there  were  of — 

Horses 6,131 

Cattle 3,334 

Sheep 640 


Hogs 


5,SS3 


Total  horses  in  Illlinois 924,044 

Total  cattle  in  Illinois 1,861,278 

Total  sheep  in  Illinois 826,077 

Total  hogs  in  Illinois 2,670,363 

Wheat  in  Mason  county 8,083  acres 

Corn  in  Mason  county 96,542 

Other  grains  in  Mason  county 1 6,458 

Orchards  in  Mason  county JO09 

Total  wheat  in  Illinois 2,005,262 

Total  corn  in  Illinois 8,2 18,299 

Total  other  crops  in  Illinois 2,277,615 

Total  orchards  in  Illinois , 312,902 


GEOLOGY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


By  H.  M.  Bannister. 


[The  Geology  of  Mason  county  being  reported  by  the  above 
author  in  connection  with  Tazewell,  McLean  and  Logan,  we  are 
compelled  to  give  data  from  those  counties;  also  from  Menard  and 
Cass,  from  the  fact  that  the  geological  formations  of  these  six 
counties  are  so  uniformly  the  same  that  a  description  of  one  is 
nearly  a  description  of  all.  It  is  also  true  that  the  geological  sur- 
veys of  these  six  counties  have  been  very  superficial  and  neglected. 
Our  State  Geologist,  Prof.  A.  H.  Worthen,  being  only  remarkable 
for  giving  little  attention  to  the  important  work  which  the  State 
employs  him  to  do.  We  shall  extract  from  the  work  of  Mr.  Ban- 
nister, done  for  the  Geological  office  of  this  State,  and  add  such  per- 
sonal investigations  as  we  have  been  able  to  make.] 

"  The  surface  of  the  country  over  a  great  portion  of  the  district 
composed  of  the  counties  of  McLean,  Logan,  the  greater  part  of 
Tazewell,  and  the  eastern  part  of  Mason,  is  a  high,  undulating  prai- 
rie, with  here  and  there  groves  and  belts  of  timber. 

The  soil  is  generally  a  rich  brown  mould,  varying  somewhat  in 
different  localities  in  the  proportions  of  clay,  etc.,  which  it  contains, 
some  portions  being  more  argillaceous  than  others.  In  the  timber, 
however,  which  occupies  scarcely  more  than  one-fifth  or  one-sixth 
of  the  entire  surface,  and  the  broken  country  along  some  of  the 
principal  streams,  the  soil  is  somewhat  of  a  different  character,  the 
lighter  colored  and  more  argillaceous  subsoil  appearing  at  or  near 
the  surface. 

In  the  greater  part  of  Mason  county,  and  over  considerable 
tracts  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Tazewell  county,  the  surface 
configuration    varies    from    that  which  we  have    described.     The 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


53 


prairies  are  low  and  comparatively  flat,  and  in  many  places  were 
originally  overflowed,  or  marshy,  at  some  seasons  of  the  year.  The 
soil  of  these  prairies  is  a  rich  alluvium,  generally  more  or  less  ar- 
enaceous, which  forms,  when  sufficiently  elevated  or  drained,  one 
of  the  best  producing  soils  in  the  State. 

Along  the  Illinois  and  Sangamon  rivers,  in  this  region,  we  find 
rather  extensive  sandy  tracts  of  river  formation,  and  on  the  Sanga- 
mon river  in  Mason  county,  and  on  the  Illinois  in  Mason  and 
Tazewell,  the  bold  bluffs  of  the  Loess  are,  in  some  localities,  con- 
spicious  features  of  the  general  landscape. 

The  principal  streams  occurring  in  this  district,  besides  the  Illi- 
nois and  Sangamon  rivers,  which  form  a  portion  of  its  borders,  are 
the  Mackinaw,  in  Tazewell,  Mason  and  McLean  counties;  Salt 
Creek,  in  Mason  and  Logan  counties;  Kickapoo  and  Sugar  creeks, 
in  Logan  and  McLean  counties.  These,  with  many  minor  streams 
and  nameless  tributaries,  drain  nearly  the  whole  surface  of  this 
entire  district.  With  the  exception  of  the  Illinois  and  Sangamon 
rivers,  none  of  the  streams  have  extensive  tracts  of  bottoms  adjoin- 
ing them,  and  even  along  these  rivers  the  bottoms  are  either  of  in- 
considerable extent  or  wanting  altogether. 

The  geological  formations  appearing  in  this  district  are  almost 
entirely  of  the  drift  or  later  formations,  the  older  rocks  outcropping 
only  at  a  comparatively  few  localities  in  Tazewell  and  Logan 
counties.  The  underlying  rock,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained  from 
these  outcroppings,  as  well  as  from  artificial  exposures,  by  shafts, 
etc.,  in  various  parts  of  the  district,  consists  entirely  of  the  diffei-ent 
beds  of  the  coal   measure   series. 

The  Loess,  the  uppermost  of  the  more  recent  geological  forma- 
tions, appears  only  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Illinois  and  Sangamon 
rivers,  and  consists  here,  as  elsewhere,  of  buff  or  ash  colored  marly 
sand,  containing  fresh  water  shells  of  existing  species.  It  is  not 
everywhere  equally  well  developed,  and  in  various  localities  along 
the  Illinois  river,  in  Mason  and  Tazewell  counties,  it  either  does 
not  appear  at  all,  or  is  inconspicuous.  It  may  be  well  seen,  how- 
ever, in  Mason  county,  where  it  appears  in  the  bald,  rounded  bluffs, 
with  occasional  mural-appearing  escarpments  covering  their  sum- 
mits, which  forms  so  characteristic  a  feature  of  the  landscape  along 
the  river  below.  In  the  northern  part  of  Tazewell  county, 
although  this  bluff  marl  sand  appears  to  some  extent  in  the  bluffs 
along  the  Illinois  river,  it  is  not  by  any  means  as  well  exposed  or 
prominent  as  farther  south,  in  other  counties. 


54  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

The  drift  formation  which  covers  the  older  rocks  in  almost  every 
part  of  this  district,  is  here  composed  of  heds  of  blue  and  brown 
clay,  sand  and  gravel,  and  varies  in  thickness  in  different  portions 
from  fifty  feet  in  the  western  part  of  Tazewell  county,  to  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  in  the  Bloomington  shafts.  It  has  been  penetrated 
however  at  but  comparatively  few  points,  and  over  the  greater  part 
of  this  region,  its  depth  can  only  be  approximately  estimated.  It 
seems  probable  indeed  that  it  may  be  of  this  thickness  over  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  McLean  county,  as  boring  at  Chatsworth  in 
the  adjoining  portion  of  Livingston  county,  was  reported  to  have 
penetrated  to  a  depth  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  before  striking 
rock.  The  material  of  the  drift  in  this  region  appears  to  be  rough- 
ly stratified;  alternating  beds  of  sand,  gravel  and  clay  are  frequently 
met  with  in  wells  and  borings.  The  sand  and  gravel  beds  make 
generally  but  a  small  part  of  the  total  thickness,  though  sometimes 
single  beds  attain  a  very  considerable  thickness,  as,  for  instance,  at 
Chenoa,  in  the  northern  part  of  McLean  county,  where  a  boring 
for  coal  passes  through  abed  of  sand  and  gravel  thirty  feet  in  thick- 
ness, overlaid  by  forty-five  feet  of  the  usual  clays  of  this  formation. 
Occasionally  also  a  bed  of  black  earth  or  vegetable  mould,  still 
containing  pieces  of  wood,  trunks  of  trees,  leaves,  &c,  only  partial- 
ly decayed,  is  met  with,  and  a  bed  of  quicksand  containing  the 
usual  fossil  land  or  fresh-water  shells  of  existing  species. 

The  following  section  of  the  drift  afforded  by  a  shaft  sunk  in  the 
city  of  Bloomington,  is  of  special  interest,  as  showing  both  of  these 
conditions  at  unusual  depths.  The  shaft  was  sunk  by  the  Bloom- 
ington Coal  Mining  Company  near  the  track  of  the  Chicago  and 
St.  Louis  Railroad,  half  a  mile  north  of  the  depot: 

i   Surface  soil  and  brown  clay 10  feet. 

2  Blue  clay 40  " 

3  Gravelly  hardpan 60  " 

4  Black  mould  with  pieces  of  wood 13  " 

5  Hardpan  and  clay 89  " 

6  Black  mould,  &c 6  " 

7  Blue  clay 34  " 

8  Quicksand,  buff  and  drab  color,  containing  fos- 

sil shells 2     " 

9  Clay  shales  (coal  measures) 

Total 254     " 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  55 

Another  shaft  a  little  over  a  mile  distant  from  this  one  passed 
through  materially  the  same  succession  of  strata,  with  only  local 
variations  in  the  thickness  of  the  different  beds.  The  quicksand, 
No.  8  of  the  above  section,  resembling  the  sands  of  the  Loess  in 
general  appearance,  and  the  only  species  of  the  contained  shells 
which  could  be  identified,  was  Helicina  Occulta,  which  is  also  not 
uncommon  in  the  Loess  of  the  river  valleys  of  this  State.  Beds  of 
black  vegetable  mould  are  met  with  at  less  depths  than  in  this  sec- 
tion in  various  places  in  this  district,  as,  for  instance,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Pekin,  Tazewell  county,  where  it  is  said  in  few  instances  to  have 
tainted  the  wells  which  have  penetrated  it  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
almost  render  them  unfit  for  use.  Sections  of  the  drift  are  also  afford- 
ed by  the  borings  for  coal  which  have  been  made  in  various  parts  of 
this  district.  In  all  cases  they  show  variations  of  the  material  from 
blue  to  yellow  clay,  sand  and  gravel,  but  do  not  generally  afford 
sections  of  such  especial  interest  as  the  shafts  at  Bloomington,  nor 
is  the  depth  of  the  formation  as  great.  At  Chenoa  the  thickness  is 
found  to  be  ninety  feet  from  the  surface  to  the  rock;  at  Lexington 
one  hundred  and  eighty  feet;  at  Atlanta  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
six  feet;  at  Lincoln  seventy  feet;  at  Cheney's  Grove  one  hundred 
and  twenty-two  feet;  and  at  several  points  in  Tazewell  county  from 
sixty  to  one  hundred  feet  and  more.  Its  thickness  is  quite  irregular, 
•but  seems  to  be  greatest  in  the  central  and  eastern  portions  of  the 
district. 

In  Mason  county  we  have  no  reliable  data  on  which  to  base  our 
estimates,  but  its  average  thickness  in  that  portion  I  think  may  be 
set  down  at  not  less  than  fifty  feet,  and  is  probably  much  more.  In 
the  western  portion  of  Tazewell  county  in  the  ravines  and  broken 
country  along  the  Illinois  river,  I  observed  in  a  number  of  places  at 
the  base  of  the  drift  a  bed  of  cemented  gravel  or  conglomerate 
showing  sometimes  an  irregular  stratification  similar  to  that  of 
beach  deposits. 

A  ledge  of  this  material  may  be  seen,  nine  or  ten  feet  in  thick- 
ness, in  the  northwestern  quarter  of  section  7,  township  25,  range 
4,  west  of  the  third  principal  meridian,  up  one  of  the  side  ravines 
which  comes  down  through  the  Illinois  river  bluffs  a  little  south  of 
Wesley  city,  in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  and  other  similar  ledges 
appear  in  various  places  in  the  vicinity  of  Fon  du  Lac,  and  also  on 
the  Mackinaw,  in  the  eastern  portion  of  this  county.  Another 
similar  bed  of  cemented  gravel,  of,  however,  a  comparatively  in- 


56  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


significant  thickness,  may  be  seen  about  half  way  up  the  bluff,  at 
the  steamboat  landing  in  the  city  of  Pekin,  where  it  does  not  ap- 
pear to  be  more  than  a  few  inches  thick. 

I  have  not  observed  any  similar  deposits  in  the  eastern  portions 
of  this  district,  cither  in  Logan  or  McLean  counties,  nor  have  I 
heard  of  its  having  been  met  with  in  sinking  the  various  shafts  or 
borings. 

COAL  MEASURES. 

All  the  stratified  rocks  that  outcrop  within  the  limits  of  this  dis- 
trict belong,  as  has  been  already  stated,  to  the  coal  measures,  and 
the  actual  surface  exposures  are  confined  for  the  most  part  to  a 
thickness  of  sixty  or  eighty  feet  in  the  middle  portion  of  the  forma- 
tion. In  the  whole  district  there  is  but  one  boring  which  affords 
an  artificial  section  of  the  beds  down  to  the  base  of  this  formation. 
This  is  one  made  by  Voris  &  Co.,  on  the  bottom  lands  on  the  Taze- 
well county  side  of  the  Illinois  river,  and  directly  opposite  the 
city  of  Peoria. 

The  first  bed  of  the  coal  measure  which  is  met  with  in  the  bor- 
ing is  about  forty  feet  below  the  lower  coal  scam,  which  is  worked 
in  this  section,  number  four  of  the  Illinois  river  section,  as  given 
by  Prof.  Worthen. 

The  following  is  a  section  of  the  first  four  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine  feet  of  the  boring.  Below  that  depth  the  records  kept  by 
Mr.  Voris  &  Co.  are  not  complete,  as  to  the  thickness  and  material 
of  all  the  different  beds — 

1  Alluvial  soil  of  river  bottom 4  feet 

2  Sand 4  " 

3  Gravel   (boulder  drift) 20  " 

4  Clay  shale     59  " 

5  Bituminous  slate 3  " 

6  Fire  clay 15  " 

7  Clay  shale 15  " 

120     " 

8  Coal 4     " 

9  Clay  shale ...    34     " 

10  Sandy  or   argillaceous  shale  (very  hard) 34     " 

1 1  Sandstone 4     " 

12  Nodular,  argillaceous  limestone 6     " 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  57 

13  Compact,  fine-grained  sandstone 5  feet 

14  Hard,  dark-blue  sandy  shale 25  " 

15  Coal 3  " 

235  « 

16  Sandy  and  argillaceous  shale 35  " 

17  Bituminous  shale,  with  thin  beds  limestone.  . .  57  " 

18  "Cherty  rock" ;'.' 44  " 

19  Hard  silaceous  rock 33  " 

20  Fine-grained   sandstone 65  " 


459  " 
As  nearly  as  the  limits  of  the  formations  can  be  made  out  from 
this  section,  I  think  that  at  least  that  portion  between  the  base  of 
the  alluvium  and  drift,  and  the  bituminous  shale  and  limestone  of 
this  section,  number  seventeen,  may  be  referred  to  the  coal  meas- 
ures. The  remainder  is  Devonian,  with  perhaps  some  of  the  upper 
beds  of  the  lower  carboniferous.  The  exact  equivalent  of  the  two 
beds  of  the  coal  passed  through,  may,  perhaps,  not  be  stated  with 
certainty.  The  lower  one,  however,  is  probably  No.  1,  of  the  Illi- 
nois river  section.  The  greatest  depth  reached  in  the  boring  was 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-four  feet,  and  the  lowest  rock  was  a 
gray  porous  limestone,  the  fragments  of  which,  brought  up  by  the 
instruments,  were  exactly  similar  in  appearance  to  some  of  the  up- 
per limestones  of  the  Niagai-a  group,  exposed  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  State,  with  which  this  formation  may  doubtless  be  properly 
identified. 

The  coal  seam  which  is  worked  in  this  immediate  neighborhood 
is  No.  4,  as  has  already  been  stated.  A  good  exposure  of  this  coal 
may  be  seen  near  the  track  of  the  Toledo,  Peoria  and  Warsaw 
Railroad,  at  a  point  of  the  bluff  where  the  road  enters  the  valley 
of  Farm  creek.  It  is  here  immediately  overlaid  by  loess  and  drift, 
and  is  about  four  feet  in  thickness,  the  same  as  its  average  in  other 
localities  thereabouts.  It  is  worked  in  various  places,  both  in  the 
river  bluffs  and  for  a  mile  or  more  up  the  valley  of  Farm  creek,  by 
horizontal  drifts  into  the  hill  sides,  some  of  which,  in  their  various 
branches,  are  of  considerable  linear  extent.  The  beds  overlying 
the  coal  are  not  exposed  to  the  surface  at  any  point  north  of  Farm 
creek,  but  the  seam  is  generally  found  to  have  a  roof  of  sandstone 
or  sandy  shale  in  the  interior  portions  of  the  drift. 
—8 


$S  HISTORY  OF  MASON    COUNTY. 

Along  the  Illinois  river  bluffs,  between  Fon  du  Lac  and  Wesley 
City,  there  are  several  points  where  coal  is  now,  or  has  been, 
worked,  and  there  are  a  few  exposures  of  the  overlying  sandstones 
in  the  bluffs  near  the  main  wagon  road.  South  of  Wesley  City 
there  are  scarcely  any  exposures  on  the  river  face  of  the  bluffs, 
but  up  the  side  ravines  they  are  more  numerous.  In  one  of  these 
ravines,  some  distance  from  the  road,  on  the  land  of  Mr.  Davis,  I 
observed  the  following  succession  of  beds  in  a  vertical  exposure  for 
about  sixty  rods  along  the  sides  of  the  bluffs: 

1  Shale,  passing  downward  into  slate 25     feet. 

2  Coal \i/2   " 

3  Fire  clay,  passing  downward  into  nodular  lime- 

stone  12       " 

4  Limestone 3       " 

5  Sandstone exposed  only  a  few  inches. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  vein  of  coal  observed  here  is  still  above 
both  the  seams  which  are  worked  in  this  region.  The  distance 
between  this  and  the  next  vein  below  it,  I  should  judge  to  be  not 
more  than  forty  or  fifty  feet.  The  limestone  which  always  over- 
lies the  coal  No.  6,  is  entirely  wanting  here,  although,  as  may  be 
seen  bv  the  section,  a  bed  of  limestone  occurs  below  its  under  clay, 
and  farther  down  the  creek.  Below  the  exposures  from  which  the 
above  sections  were  made  up,  numerous  thin  beds  of  limestone 
may  be  seen  intercalated  in  the  sandstone  outcrops.  These  lime- 
stone bands  seem  to  be  somewhat  fossiliferous,  but  no  good  speci- 
mens were  obtained.  In  the  northeastern  part  of  section  twentv- 
four,  township  twenty-five,  range  five,  on  a  northern  fork  of  Lick 
creek,  I  noticed  a  quarry  in  a  ledge  of  soft,  light  gray  and  brown 
micaceous  sandstone,  generally  thin  bedded  and  shaly,  but  in  some 
places  with  beds  thick  enough  to  answer  for  building  purposes. 
The  total  vertical  thickness  of  the  exposure  was  less  than  twelve 
feet.  Passing  farther  down  the  branch,  in  a  general  westerly  and 
southerly  direction,  we  find  the  hillsides  along  the  banks  strown 
thickly  with  fragments  of  similar  sandstone,  indicating  the  probable 
existence  of  the  same  beds  but  a  short  distance  under  the  soil.  At 
a  point  on  the  immediate  bank  of  the  creek,  near  the  centre  of  the 
section,  I  observed  an  exposure  of  about  twenty  feet  of  sandy  and 
argillaceous  shales,  containing  a  thin  seam  of  coaly  matter,  not 
over  one  or  two  inches  in  thickness  at  its  best  development,  and 
from  that  down  to  nothing.     About  half  a  mile  farther  east,  near 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  £Q 


the  centre  of  the  eastern  line  of  the  section,  alongside  of  the 
road  which  crosses  the  creek  at  this  place,  and  well  up  the  bluffs,  I 
observed  the  outcrop  of  a  coal  seam  which  had  been  worked  to 
some  slight  extent,  and  which  I  take  to  be  the  upper  workable 
vein  of  this  region:  No.  6  of  the  Illinois  river  section.  The  whole 
exposure  of  this  point  presented  the  following  section: 

i   Shale   ,   9  feet. 

2  Limestone  (light  color) 2     " 

3  Dark  colored  shaly  beds   2     " 

4  Blue  shaly  clay i     « 

5  Coal 3     " 

Total 17     « 

Farther  to  the  eastward  from  this  point,  and  higher  in  the  bluffs, 
I  observed  limited  exposures  of  reddish,  shaly  sandstones,  or  aren- 
aceous shale,  which  seems  from  its  position  to  overlie  the  upper- 
most beds  of  the  above  section.  In  the  vicinity  of  Pekin  there  are 
but  few  natural  exposures  of  the  underlying  rocks,  but  the  lower 
coal  is  mined  at  several  points  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city.  The 
coal  is  generally  overlaid  by  black  slate.  Above  the  slate  there  is 
generally  from  twenty  to  forty  or  fifty  feet  of  sandstone,  or  sandy 
shales,  according  to  the  locality  of  the  shafts,  on  the  edge  of  the 
bluffs,  or  farther  up  towards  the  rolling  uplands. 

This  sandstone  may  be  seen  in  the  bottom  of  the  ditches  at  one 
or  two  points  on  the  Fremont  road,  about  a  mile  east  of  the  city  of 
Pekin,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  principal  coal  mines.  At  Mr. 
Hawley's  place,  about  five  miles  southeast  of  Pekin,  a  shaft  was 
sunk,  which  passed  through  both  the  upper  and  lower  coals,  affording 
a  section  of  the  intermediate  beds,  which,  as  reported  to  me,  were  as 
follows : 

1  Argillaceous  shale 4  feet. 

2  Light  colored  limestone 2  " 

3  Coal 4  « 

4  Fire  clay 8  " 

5  Sandstone 50  " 

6  Bluish-black  slate 4  " 

7  Coal , 4  « 

S  Fire  clay   8  « 

Total * 84     " 


60  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

About  two  mile-  cast  of  Mr.  Haw-lev's  place,  in  the  southwest 
quarter  of  section  twenty,  township  twenty-four,  range  four,  on  a 
branch  called  Lost  creek,  there  is  said  to  be  another  exposure  of 
brownish  sandstone,  of  very  limited  extent.  I  failed  to  find  the 
locality  myself,  but  if  sandstone  occurs  here,  it  may  be  that  over- 
lying the  lower  coal,  or  possibly  the  higher  bed  not  represented  in 
the  above  section. 

In  the  central  and  eastern  part  of  Tazewell  county  there  are  fewr 
localities  where  borings,  etc.,  have  been  made,  but  satisfactory  re- 
cords of  the  variation  of  the  strata  could  not  in  all  cases  be  obtained. 
At  Rapp's  Mills,  near  the  centre  of  the  north  line  of  section 
twenty,  township  twenty-four,  range  four,  a  shaft  wras  sunk  to  the 
depth  of  eighty-five  feet,  but,  as  it  was  reported  to  me,  it  struck 
limestone  at  that  depth.  If  this  be  the  case,  it  is  very  possibly  the 
limestone  overlying  the  upper  coal,  but  without  more  reliable  data 
it  is  impossible  to  speak  with  certainty.  The  shaft  was  abandoned 
before  completion,  on  account  of  the  difficulty  in  keeping  it  free 
from  water.  At  Delevan,  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the 
county,  a  boring  wras  made,  which  was  reported  to  have  passed 
through  sixtv  feet  of  sandstone,  and  below  that  seventy -five  feet 
more  of  arenaceous  and  argillaceous  clay  shales.  No  coal  was  re- 
ported in  this  boring. 

In  Mason  county  there  are  no  natural  exposures  of  the  older 
rocks,  and  as  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  no  good  artificial  sections  af- 
forded in  shafts,  wells  or  borings.  Passing  eastward,  however, 
into  Logan  county,  we  find  along  Salt  creek,  some  distance  above 
Middletown,  a  few  tumbling  masses  of  bluish  limestones,  which 
have  evidently  come  out  of  the  blufFs,  but  no  good  exposures.  In 
southeast  quarter  of  section  thirteen,  township  nineteen,  range 
four,  a  boring  was  made  in  the  side  of  the  bluffs  by  Messrs.  Bovd, 
Paisley  &  Co.,  of  Lincoln,  which  passed  one  hundred  and  thirty 
feet  of  alternating  beds  of  limestone  and  arenaceous  and  argilla- 
ceous shales,  passing  through  the  drift  and  surface  deposits  at  the 
depth  of  only  fifteen  feet. 

A  seam  of  coal  was  stated  also  to  have  been  met  with  near  the 
bottom  of  the  boring,  but  its  thickness  could  not  be  satisfactorily 
ascertained.  I  also  heard  it  stated  that  a  seam  of  coal  about  twro 
feet  thick  had  been  worked  by  the  early  settlers  of  the  county  in 
this  vicinity,  and  afterwards  abandoned  on  account  of  its  poor  qual- 
ity.    No  traces  of  the  outcrop  or  the  old  workings  are  now  visible, 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  6l 

and  I  am  not  able  to  state  with  any  degree  of  exactness  the  place 
in  the  series  of  this  seam  of  coal,  though  it  is  undoubtedly  among 
the  measures  of  the  upper  beds. 

At  Rankin's  mill,  about  two  miles  farther  up  the  stream,  in  the 
northwest  quarter  of  section  7,  township  19,  range  3,  the  creek 
flows  over  a  bed  of  limestone,  which  is  also  quarried  at  one  or  two 
places  on  the  southern  bank.  The  rock  is  a  light  gray  or  bluish 
gray,  irregular  bedded  limestone,  and  contains  a  few  of  the  com- 
mon coal  measure  fossils,  of  which  Sfiiriffer,  Cameratus,  S.  Lin- 
eatuSy  Athyris  Subtiliia,  and  a  few  others  only  were  collected.  Its 
thickness  here  as  ascertained  by  means  of  a  well  dug  in  one  of  the 
quarries,  was  eleven  feet,  and  underneath  it  was  found  four  feet  of 
black  slate,  underlaid  by  seventeen  feet  of  fire-clay,  and  then  six 
feet  of  limestone.  The  hole  is  continued  by  a  boring  to  a  depth  of 
eighty  feet  from  the  surface,  at  which  depth  a  seam  of  coal  was 
struck,  the  thickness  of  which  I  was  unable  to  ascertain.  This,  or 
a  similar  bed  of  limestone  outcrops  on  Lake  Fork  of  Salt  Creek, 
in  section  23,  township  19,  range  8,  in  a  ledge  about  three  feet  high, 
which  has  been  quarried  to  a  slight  extent  at  one  point  near  the 
center  of  the  section. 

The  above  comprises  all  the  natural  exposures  within  the  limits 
of  this  district.  There  remain,  however,  various  shafts,  borings, 
&c,  which,  over  the  larger  portion  of  the  territory,  afford  us  the 
only  means  whatever  of  ascertaining  the  character  and  the  thickness 
of  the  underlying  beds.  Of  these,  with  one  or  two  exceptions 
only,  the  shafts  alone  furnish  sufficiently  reliable  sections  of  the 
strata,  and  as  yet  but  two  or  three  have  been  sunk.  At  Lincoln 
the  shaft  afforded  the  following  section  after  passing  through  about 
seventy  feet  of  soil  and  drift: 

1  Light  blue  arenaceous  shale 6  feet. 

2  Hard  blue  limestone,  containing  corals 3     " 

3  Black  slate 0   10  inches. 

4  Coal 1     6       « 

5  Fire-clay 6  feet. 

6  Arenaceous  shale 3     " 

The  black  slate  which  had  been  taken  from  the  shafts  was  too 
much  decomposed  at  the  time  of  my  visit  for  me  to  obtain  from  it 
any  very  well  preserved  fossils,  although  among  the  rubbish  I  ob- 
served various  indistinguishable  fragments  of  what  had  apparently 


62  HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY. 

been  fossil  shells.  The  coal  in  this  section  is  probably  not  below 
No.  6  of  the  Illinois  river  section,  and  may  possibly  be  still  higher. 
About  four  miles  south  of  Lincoln,  on  the  land  of  Mr.  J.  Brancher, 
near  the  center  of  the  south  line  of  section  14,  township  19,  range 
4,  a  hole  was  sunk  by  boring  to  the  depth  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
feet,  and  three  seperate  seams  of  coal  are  reported  to  have  been  met 
with.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  thickness  of  the  variation  and 
the  thickness  of  the  beds  could  not  be  obtained,  and  we  are  there- 
fore unable  to  form  an  opinion  as  to  the  equivalents  of  these  seams. 
In  a  boring  at  Atlanta  in  the  northern  part  of  this  county  a  seam 
three  feet  and  six  inches  thick  was  reported  at  a  depth  of  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  feet;  the  overlying  bed  as  reported  consisting  of 
alternate  strata  of  slate,  soapstone,  limestone,  &c.  This  is  probably 
coal  No.  6,  although  without  a  more  positive  evidence  than  is 
afforded  by  a  single  isolated  boring,  nothing  can  be  stated  with  ab- 
solute certainty. 

The  two  shafts  at  Bloomington,  which  have  been  mentioned  in 
the  remarks  concerning  the  drift  in  the  previous  portion  of  this 
chapter,  affords  us  the  most  satisfactory  section  of  any  excavation 
in  the  district,  enabling  us  to  identify  the  two  seams  of  coal  which 
they  penetrate,  with  Nos.  4  and  6  of  the  general  Illinois  river 
section. 

The  following  section,  made  up  from  records  furnished  by  both 
shafts,  illustrates  well  the  variation  of  the  strata  of  the  middle  coal 
measures  of  this  region.  This  section  commences  at  the  base  of 
the  drift,  and  its  upper  portion,  from  1  to  4  inclusive,  was  afforded 
by  the  Bloomington  Coal  Company's  shaft,  and  the  remainder  by 
that  of  the  McLean  County  Coal  Alining  Company,  a  mile  further 
south,  along  the  railroad  track : 

1  Clay  shale 16  feet. 

2  Sandstone 32  " 

3  Clay  shale 1  " 

4  Coal  No.  6 4  " 

5  Fire-clay 13  " 

6  Limestone 2  "       7  in. 

7  Fire-clay 10  " 

8  Clay  shale S  " 

9  Fire-clay 15  " 

10  Shale 3     "      6  in. 

1 1  Soft  blue  slate 22     "      7  in. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  63 


1 3   Black  slate 5     " 

13  Coal  No.  4 4     "      6  in. 

14  Fire-clay 6     "      9  in. 

No.  2  of  this  section  is  light  colored  laminated  sandstone,  con- 
taining a  few  remains  of  fossil  plants.  In  the  more  southern  shaft 
it  seems  to  be  replaced  by  a  conglomerate.  No  fossils  were  ob- 
tained from  any  of  the  other  beds  excepting  the  black  slate  No.  12, 
over  the  lower  coal,  which  contained  in  great  abundance  Lingula 
umbonata,  Aveculofecten  rectalaterarea,  Cardina  frag  ills,  and 
other  fossils  characteristic  of  the  shales  of  this  coal.  A  rather  pe- 
culiar feature,  however,  is  the  comparative  rarity  of  the  Discina 
Nitida,  usually  the  most  abundant  fossil  in  this  State,  only  one  or 
two  specimens  being  found  in  rather  a  protracted  search. 

In  the  northern  and  eastern  portions  of  McLean  county  we  have 
only  the  records  of  several  borings,  which  afford  but  few  particu- 
lars as  to  the  character  of  the  underlying  beds.  Just  over  the  coun- 
ty line  in  Livingston  county,  about  two  miles  from  Chenoa,  in  a 
northeast  direction,  a  ledge  of  blueish-gray,  irregularly  bedded 
limestone  outcrops  in  the  side  of  a  ravine.  In  general  appearance 
this  rock  is  similar  to  that  noticed  in  the  preceding  pages  as  occur- 
ring on  Salt  Creek,  in  Logan  county,  and  like  it,  is  probably  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  coal  measures. 

ECONOMICAL    GEOLOGY. 

From  the  preceding  remarks  it  will  be  seen  that  although  four 
of  five  different  seams  of  coal  underlie  different  portions  of  this 
district,  but  two  of  them  have  been  worked  to  any  extent.  The 
upper  of  these  two,  No.  6  of  the  general  section,  is  worked  to  a 
slight  extent  along  the  Illinois  river,  in  the  region  of  Peoria  and 
Pekin,  and  is  also  the  upper  seam  in  the  Bloomington  shafts.  Its 
thickness  in  these  localities  ranges  from  three  to  four  feet.  The  coal 
in  this  bed  is  generally  softer  and  more  impure  than  that  of  the  next 
seam  below,  and  its  workings  have  frequently  been  forsaken  for 
those  of  the  lower  bed.  The  sixteen-inch  vein  of  coal  which  has 
been  mentioned  on  a  preceding  page  as  occurring  on  a  ravine  a 
short  distance  back  of  Wesley  City,  and  which  I  have  there  con- 
sidered as  still  higher  vein  of  coal,  may  possibly  be  this  seam,  in 
spite  of  its  lesser  thickness,  as  is  a  characteristic  of  this  bed,  in  other 
parts  of  the  State,  where  it  has  been  identified,  to  vary  considerable 


64  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


in  its  thickness;  in  some  cases,  indeed,  thinning  out  very  rapidly  in 
the  space  of  a  few  feet. 

The  more  reliable  indications  of  the  accompanying  limestone 
beds,  with  their  characteristic  fossils,  cannot  under  all  the  circum- 
stances, be  well  observed,  nor,  indeed,  do  they  appear  to  be  invari- 
ably present. 

The  lower  coal,  No.  4,  is  the  seam  which  is  now  mined  in  nearly 
all  the  principal  workings  within  the  limits  of  this  district,  and  will, 
generally,  average  here  near  four  feet  in  thickness. 

The  coal  is  generally  harder,  and  a  better  heating  material  than 
that  of  the  upper  bed,  besides  being  more   reliable  in  its  thickness. 

It,  however,  contains  in  some  parts  its  share  of  impurities,  but 
often  so  disposed  in  the  vein  as  to  render  them  easily  separable.  In 
some  of  the  shafts  near  the  citv  of  Pekin,  the  seam  of  coal  which 
I  have  referred  to  in  the  preceding  pages,  contains  in  its  lower  por- 
tion, about  sixteen  or  eighteen  inches  above  the  base,  a  thin  seam 
of  fire  clay,  separating  it  into  two  unequal  portions,  and  sometimes 
a  vein  of  slate  or  slatey  coal  is  reported  to  otcur  only  five  or  six 
inches  above  the  bottom.  In  the  upper  portion,  also,  there  is  often 
what  is  called  "hickory,"  or  mixed  coal  and  shale  or  sand  rock. 
The  thickness  of  good  coal,  however,  is  sufficient  to  render  its 
working  profitable. 

At  Bloomington,  the  shafts  were  first  sunk  only  to  the  upper 
coal,  which  was  worked  for  a  short  time,  and  then  the  shaft  having 
been  deepened,  the  upper  bed  was  abandoned,  and  only  the  lower 
seam  was  worked.  The  difference  in  quality  was  very  marked  at 
this  place,  the  lower  coal  was  very  much  superior  to  that  of  the 
upper  seam. 

Beneath  this  coal,  No.  4,  we  find  by  the  boring,  opposite  Peoria, 
by  Voris  &  Co.,  two  seams  of  coal,  at  the  depths  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  and  two  hundred  and  thirty  feet,  and,  respective] v,  four 
and  three  feet  in  thickness,  which  are  most  probably  Nos.  1  and  3 
in  the  general  sections  referred  to.  Although  we  have  no  positive 
data  as  to  the  existence  of  these  or  other  beds  under  the  coal  No. 
4,  in  other  .portions  of  the  district,  yet,  from  their  existence  at  this 
point,  and  from  our  general  knowledge  of  the  development  of  the 
lower  coal  measures  of  this  State,  it  seems  quite  probable  that  these 
seams  of  coal  might  be  found  at  the  proper  depths  in  other  parts 
of  this  and  the  adjoining  counties. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  SK 


A  boring  of  from  two  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  below  the 
known  horizon  of  No.  4,  or  to  five,  seven  or  eight  hundred  feet 
from  the  surface,  in  different  parts  of  the  district,  would  probably 
penetrate  all  the  coal '  measures,  and  settle  all  the  questions  in  re- 
gard to  the  existence  and  development  of  the  underljdng  coal 
seams. 

The  upper  coal  seams  are  perhaps  represented  in  this  district,  by 
the  bed  reached  in  the  Lincoln  shaft,  and  it  may  be,  also,  by  the 
small  vein  near  Wesley  city,  in  Tazewell  county,  which  I  have  in 
the  preceding  pages  referred,  with  doubt,  to  a  higher  level  than 
No.  6,  though  still  admitting  its  possible  identity  with  that  bed  it- 
self. In  neither  of  these  localities  is  the  seam  of  sufficient  thick- 
ness to  be  worked  with  much  profit,  excepting  where  it  might  per- 
haps be  profitably  worked  in  a  small  way  by  stripping  along  the 
line  of  its  out-crop. 

BUILDING    MATERIALS. 

This  district  is,  as  a  whole,  scantily  supplied  within  itself,  with 
building  stone,  the  greater  portion  of  its  surface  being  occupied  by 
drift  deposits. 

Along  the  Illinois  river,  in  Tazewell  county,  the  sandstones  of 
the  coal  measures  have  been  quarried,  to  some  extent,  to  supply 
local  demand,  and  in  some  localities  appear  to  afford  a  stone  suita- 
ble for  foundations,  cellars,  walls,  etc. 

The  limestone  beds  which  also  occur  in  the  coal  measure  strata 
in  this  region,  though  generally  of  inconsiderable  thickness,  may 
also  furnish  a  limited  supply  for  the  same  purpose,  as  well  as  for 
the  manufacture  of  lime. 

The  limestone  ledges,  noticed  as  occurring  on  Salt  creek  and 
Lake  Fork,  in  Logan  county,  also  furnish  fair  material  for  the 
rougher  kinds  of  masonry,  and  have  been  considerably  quarried  for 
this  purpose. 

Dimension  stone,  etc.,  when  used  in  this  district,  are  brought 
from  beyond  its  limits ;  in  a  great  measure  from  the  quarries  at 
Joliet. 

Clay  and  loam,  suitable  for  the  manufacture  of  a  fair  quality  of 
red  brick,  are  found  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  district,  and  have 
been  made  use  of  in  most  of  the  principal  towns  within  its  limits. 
Sand,  for  building  purposes,  is  also  sufficiently  abundant. 

—9 


66  HISTORY   OF   MASON  COUNTY 


MINERAL    SPRINGS. 

We  may,  perhaps,  properly  mention  under  this  head,  the  arte- 
sian well  sunk  by  Messrs.  Voris  &  Co.,  on  the  edge  of  the  bottom 
land  along  the  Illinois  river,  opposite  Peoria,  in  which  a  current  of 
water,  holding  in  solution  sulpherated  hydrogen,  was  struck  at  the 
depth  of  seven  hundred  and  thirty-four  feet.  When  struck,  it  was 
stated  to  have  had  a  head  of  sixty  or  seventy  feet,  and  the  flow  is 
said  to  be  nearly  as  strong  at  the  present  time.  This  water  ap- 
pears to  be  derived  from  the  upper  portion  of  the  Niagara  group, 
but  before  the  boring  had  reached  its  present  depth,  a  vein  of 
saline  was  met  with  at  a  distance  from  the  surface  of  three  hundred 
and  seventeen  feet. 

Copperas  and  saline  springs  occur  in  various  places  in  this  dis- 
trict, and  occasionally  give  names  to  some  of  the  minor  streams. 
Such  names  as  Salt  creek  and  Lick  creek  occur  here  as  in  other 
parts  of  the  State.  These  springs,  however,  are  few  in  number, 
and  can  hardly  be  considered  of  any  economic  value. 

It  is,  perhaps,  superfluous  to  mention  at  length  the  agricultural 
capabilities  of  this  district,  since  the  capacities  of  its  soils,  etc.,  are 
so  well  known,  and  its  territory  so  generally  taken  up  and  occu- 
pied by  actual  settlers,  and  now  under  high  cultivation. 

I  may  safely  say,  however,  that,  with  the  exceptions  of  some 
sandv  portions  along  the  rivers,  there  are  no  extensive  tracts  of 
what  may  be  called  poor  land.  There  are,  indeed,  some  tracts  of 
comparatively  low  bottoms,  or  marshy  land,  which  are  not  at  pres- 
ent available  for  all  kinds  of  agriculture,  but  these  are  generallv  of 
limited  extent,  and  are  rapidly  diminishing  under  an  improved  sys- 
tem of  drainage,  which  places  them  at  once  among  the  more  valu- 
able lands  of  the  district.  The  numerous  railroads  now  traversing 
the  country,  those  projected  and  in  process  of  construction,  by  mak- 
ing all  portions  readily  accessable  to  the  centers  of  trade,  will  add 
greatly  to  its  present  wealth  and  guarantee  its  future  prosperitv. 


TREELESSNESS   OF  PRAIRIES. 


[  To  Prof.  Winchell,  L.  L.  D.,  Professor  of  Geology  and  of 
Botany,  in  University  of  Michigan,  we  are  indebted  for  the  follow- 
ing interesting  contribution :  ] 


The  prairies  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  especially  those  lying 
within  the  limits  of  the  great  State  of  Illinois,  constitute  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  features  of  North  American  topography.  Hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  acres,  stretching  through  all  the  central  and 
western  portions  of  the  State,  present  a  scene  of  almost  unbroken 
level  and  treelessness.  The  great  prairies  are  neither  a  perfect 
plain,  nor  in  all  cases  completely  undiversified  with  arboreal  vege- 
tation. The  surface  is  generally  undulating,  and  here  and  there 
rise  gravelly  knolls  and  ridges  on  which  the  timber  has  obtained  a 
foothold.  But  these  wooded  spots  are  often  many  miles  apart,  and 
scarcely  serve  to  rest  the  eye,  wearied  with  the  monotony  of  an 
interminable  view  of  fenceless  meadows  and  unsheltered  farm 
houses. 

The  traveler,  leaving  Chicago  by  one  of  the  great  southern 
routes,  passes  out  through  the  muddy  and  straggling  outskirts  of 
the  western  metropolis,  and,  ere  he  had  thought  of  the  great  prai- 
ries through  which  he  had  expected  to  pass,  he  finds  himself  at  sea. 
Looking  from  his  car  window,  the  country  landscape  seems  at  first 
to  be  entirely  wanting.  He  feels  as  if  passing  over  a  trellis  bridge, 
three  hundred  feet  above  the  surrounding  region.  The  customary 
objects — forests,  shade  trees,  fences,  houses,  distant  hills — which 
elsewhere  lift  themselves  to  the  horizontal  plane  of  the  eye,  are  not 
here.  The  traveler  must  make  a  second  effort,  and  look  down  up- 
on the  level  of  the  country  upon  whose  bosom  he  has  now  launched. 


68  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

The  sensation  is  that  which  one  experiences  when  going  to  sea. 
The  rattling  of  the  train  is  easily  transformed  into  the  puffing  and 
creaking  steamship,  while  the  interminable  prairie,  mingling  its 
distant  and  softened  green  with  the  subdued  azure  .of  the  summer 
sky,  can  be  likened  to  nothing  but  the  ocean's  boundless  expanse. 
The  ever  recurring  undulation  of  the  prairie  is  the  grand  ocean 
swell,  which  utters  perpetually  a  reminiscence  of  the  last  storm, 
while  the  evening  sun,  with  dim'd  lustre,  settles  down  into  the 
prairie's  green  sod,  as  to  the  mariner  he  sinks  into  the  emerald 
bosom  of  the  sea. 

"These  are  the  gardens  of  the  Desert — these 
The  unshorn  fields,  boundless  and  beautiful, 
And  fresh  as  the  young  earth  ere  man  had  sinned. 

The  prairies — I  behold  them  for  the  first — 
And  my  heart  swells,  while  the  dilated  sight 
Takes  in  the  encircling  vastness.     Lo!  they  stretch 

In  airy  undulations,  far  away, 

As  if  the  Ocean,  in  his  gentlest  swell 

Stood  still,  with  all  his  rounded  billows  fixed, 

And  motionless  forever — Motionless  ! 

No  ! — they're  all  unchained  again.     The  clouds 

Sweep  over  with  their  shadows,  and  beneath 

The  surfaee  rolls  and  fluctuates  to  the  eye; 

Dark  hollows  seem  again  to  glide  along,  and  chase 

The  sunny  ridges." 

Illinois  has  been  styled  the  garden  State  of  the  West.  The  deep 
rich  pulverulent  soil  of  the  upland  prairie,  and  especially  its  readi- 
ness for  the  plow,  without  the  intervention  of  a  year's  hard  labor 
in  opening  "a  clearing,"  have  always  constituted  powerful  attrac- 
tions for  the  settler  from  the  stony  hills  of  New  England,  and  the 
wooded  regions  of  other  States. 

From  our  earliest  knowledge  of  the  prairie,  speculation  has  been 
rife  as  to  their  treelessness  and  origin.  The  old  and  popular  belief 
was  that  which  attributed  their  treelessness  to  the  annual  burning 
of  the  grass  by  the  Indians.  But  the  prairies  present  other  pheno- 
mena, which  the  annual  burning  fails  to  explain  besides;  the  treeless- 
ness remains  in  regions  where  the  burnings  have  ceased.  And, 
further,  the  treeless  prairies  were  not  the  only  regions  burnt  by  the 
Indians.  And  if  they  were,  it  seems  more  likely  that  the  Indian 
burned  the  rank  grass  because  the  region  was  treeless  than  that  the 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  69 

region  became  treeless  from  the  burning  of  such  vegetation  as  flour- 
ishes in  the  shade  of  a  forest. 

It  has  been  suggested  that  the  region  was  originally  forest-cov- 
ered, and  that  the  southern  cane  flourished  in  such  luxuriance 
among  the  trees  as  to  rob  them  of  their  moisture  and  nourishment, 
and  thus  caused  their  extinction,  and  the  cane  having  deprived  it- 
self of  the  forest  shade  and  protection,  was  itself  scorched  out  by 
the  rays  of  the  summer  sun.  This  theory  is  in  every  way  unsatis- 
factory. 

With  others,  the  absence  of  trees  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  ab- 
sence of  moisture  in  the  atmosphere,  and  also  of  the  soil  at  certain 
seasons  of  the  year.  It  cannot  be  doubted  that  the  treeless  plains 
of  the  far  west,  and  also  other  regions,  have  failed  to  produce  arbo- 
real growths  through  an  insufficient  supply  of  moisture.  Still 
other  treeless  regions  are  such  from  an  excess  of  saline  constituents 
in  the  soil.  But  all  such  regions  have  nothing  in  common  with  the 
prairies  of  Illinois,  except  their  treelessness.  The  topography  and 
soil  constitution  of  Illinois  prairies  points  to  a  different  and  peculiar 
history.  Moreover,  trees  occupy  the  dryer  knolls  of  the  prairies 
in  the  midst  of  common  atmospheric  conditions. 

Exactly  the   reverse   of  this  theory  is  that  which   attributes  the 
absence  of  trees  to  an  excess  of  moisture  in  the  soil  at  certain  sea- 
sons.    But  we  well  know  that  there  is  no  soil  so  wet  and  stagnant 
but  certain  trees  will  flourish  upon  it — the  willow,  the  cottonwood, 
the  beach,  the  black  ash,  the  alder,   the  water  oak,  the  American 
larch,  the  arbor-vitas,  or  some  other  tree — some   of  them  standing 
joyously  half  the  year,  if  need  be,  in  water  most  stale  and  stagnant. 
Many  swamps  and  sloughs   are,  indeed,  treeless,  but  is  this  in  con- 
sequence of  the  inability   of  the  willow  to  take   root  and  maintain 
itself,  or  rather   in  consequence  of  the  formation   of  the  swamp  so 
recently  that  the  germ  of  the  tree  has  not  yet  been  scattered  over  it  ? 
Moreover,  wetness  cannot  be  attributable  to  large   portions  of  Illi- 
nois prairies  which  are  entirely  treeless.     Is  there  a  different  cause 
for  treelessness  here?     It  has  been  suggested  within  a  few  years  by 
high  geological  authority,  that  the  lack  of  trees  is  caused  by  exces- 
sive fineness  of  the  prairie  soil.     It  can  scarcely  be  denied  however 
that  other  soils,  as  pulverent  as  that  of  the  prairies,  are  densely  cov- 
ered with   forest   vegetation,  and  that   in  the   same  latitudes,  and 
under  the  same  meteorological  conditions.     On    the    other    hand 
certain  soils  of  a  coarse  texture,  are  equally  treeless.     But  the  final 


70  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

objection  to  this  theory,  and  to  all  other  theories  which  look  to  the 
physical  or  chemical  condition  of  the  soil,  or  even  to  climatic  pecu- 
liarities, for  an  explanation  of  the  treeless  character  of  the  upland 
prairies  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  is  discovered  in  the  fact  that  trees 
will  grow  on  them  when  once  introduced — not  water-loving  trees 
exclusively,  but  evergreens,  decideous  forest  trees  and  fruit  trees, 
such  as  flourish  in  all  arable  soils,  and  habitable  portions  of  our 
country.  Every  one  will  now  admit  that  trees  will  flourish  upon 
prairies.  In  proof  of  this  fact  the  prairie  farmers  for  many  years 
have  been  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  their  introduction. 
"The  prairies,"  says  a  noted  author,  "may  easily  be  converted  into 
wooded  land  by  destroying  with  the  plow  the  tough  sward  which 
has  formed  itself  on  them.  There  are  large  tracts  of  country  where, 
a  number  of  years  ago,  the  farmers  mowed  their  hay,  that  are  now 
covered  with  a  forest  of  young,  rapidly  growing  timber.  In  like 
manner,  the  uplands  of  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  which  were,  in 
1823,  principally  prairie  lands,  are  now  covered  with  a  growth  of 
fine,  thrifty  timber,  so  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  an  acre  of 
prairie  in  the  county."  This  testimony  is  confirmed  by  numbers 
of  persons  from  various  parts  of  the  State  with  whom  I  have  con- 
versed on  this  subject.  The  introduction  of  timber  as  a  branch  of 
rural  industry,  is  now  systematically  pursued.  A  drawback  to  the 
cultivation  of  forest  and  fruit  trees,  is  the  violence  of  the  prairie 
winds,  and  the  occasional  severity  of  the  winter  weather. 

There  are  pretty  satisfactory  evidences  that  the  soil  of  the  prai- 
ries is  of  lacustrine  origin.  It  has  the  fineness,  color  and  vegetable 
constituents  of  soil  accumulated  upon  a  lake  bottom.  We  find  in 
it,  moreover,  abundant  fossil  remains  of  a  lacustrine  character. 
Fresh  water-shells  of  a  species  still  existing  in  lake  Michigan,  are 
found  in  localities  many  miles  from  the  existing  shore.  Finally  we 
have  found  all  around  the  chain  of  great  lakes,  abundant  proofs 
that  their  waters  once  occupied  a  much  higher  level  than  at  pres- 
ent. We  have  discovered  the  object  that  dammed  the  waters  to 
this  extraordinary  height.  In  short,  we  have  ascertained  that  the 
prairie  region  of  Illinois  must  have  been  a  long  time  inundated — 
whether  such  inundation  contributed  to  the  characteristics  of  the 
prairies  or  not.  I  think  it  did.  If  I  ascertain  that  the  cause  for 
an  inundation  exists;  if  I  see  the  traces  of  an  inundation  all  the 
way  from  the  Niagara  river  to  Illinois;  if  the  barrier  which  shuts 
out  Illinois  from  the  lake  is  not  one-third  the  night  of  the  ancient  lake 


HISTORY  OF- MASON  COUNTY.  *]\ 

flood;  if  I  find  throughout  the  region  exposed  to  inundation,  the 
peculiar  soil  deposited  by  fresh  waters,  together  with  traces  of 
lacustrine  animals,  which  never  wander  over  land,  do  I  not  discover 
a  chain  of  facts  which  necessitates  my  conclusions?  During  the 
floodtide  of  the  lakes,  Lake  Michigan  must  have  found  an  outlet 
towards  the  south. 

We  find  a  corroboration  of  this.  The  broad,  and  deep,  and 
blufflined  valley  of  the  Illinois  river  was  never  excavated  by  that 
inconsiderable  sti-eam.  The  deserted  river  valley  discovered  at  in- 
tervals farther  north,  indicates  the  former  southward  flow  of  large 
bodies  of  water.  At  Lemont  this  valley  is  distinct,  with  its  bound- 
ing bluffs  and  its  "pot-holes,"  worn  in  the  solid  rock  of  the  ancient 
river  bed.  This  was  the  work  of  the  lake  in  its  declining  stages. 
At  the  earlier  period,  when  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  stood 
one  or  two  hundred  feet  higher  than  their  present  level,  how  much 
of  the  region  south  and  west  of  Chicago  must  have  been  sub- 
merged? The  ancient  lake  must  have  reached  its  arms  into  Iowa, 
Northern  Indiana  and  Southwestern  Michigan.  While  the  ex- 
panse of  lacustrine  waters  was  brooding  over  the  region  destined 
to  become  a  prairie,  they  busied  themselves  in  strewing  over  the 
tombs  of  pre-glacial  germs  a  bed  of  mud  which  should  forever 
prevent  a  resurrection.  Lake  sediments  themselves  inclose  no  liv- 
ing germs.  You  will  see  the  seeds  of  grasses  and  of  fruit  trees 
washed  in  by  the  recent  storm,  floating  upon  the  surface  and  event- 
ually drifting  to  the  leeshore.  If  they  ever  sink  to  the  bottom  and 
wrap  themselves  in  the  accumulating  mud,  it  is  after  they  have 
lost  their  vitality.  Sunken  and  buried,  they  go  to  decay.  Let  a 
lake  be  drained  and  the  bottom  remains  a  naked,  barren,  parching, 
shrinking  waste.  No  herbs,  or  grasses,  or  trees  burst  up  through 
the  pottery-like  surface.  But  everywhere,  from  beds  of  ancient 
glacial  materials,  vegetation  is  bursting  forth  and  announcing  itself. 
"Lo!  here  lam!"  speaks  the  nodding  young  pine,  that  has  been 
slumbering  just  beneath  the  surface  through  the  long  and  undis- 
puted possession  of  the  deciduous  forest,  which  the  axe  had  just 
mown  down.  Not  so  in  a  lake  bottom.  Here  are  the  cerements 
of  the  dead,  not  the  wrappings  of  the  slumbering.  When,  there- 
fore, the  ancient  lake  relinquished  dominion  over  Central  Illinois, 
it  left  a  devastated  and  desolate  country.  Around  the  ancient 
shores  of  the  abandoned  area  the  emerald  forest  had  stood  nodding- 
and  blossoming  and  fruiting,  while  the  inundating  lake  had  washed 


72  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 


the  slopes  down  which  the  oaken  and  the  beechen  roots  descended 
to  sip  the  refreshing  draughts. 

Ever  since  the  time  when  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  held  carnival 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  these  vigorous  trees  had  stood  smiling 
upon  the  face  of  the  freshening  residuum  left  in  Illinois  on  the  final 
retreat  of  the  ocean. 

A  resurrected  forest  had  risen  from  the  tombs  of  the  preceding 
epoch.  And  not  alone  around  the  borders  of  the  widening  lake, 
but  upon  every  island  knoll  which  raised  its  head  above  the  denud- 
ing waters,  this  encircling  forest,  and  these  isolated  island  clumps 
still  stood  and  flourished  when  at  length  the  lake  receded. 

No  turf  carpeted  the  abandoned  lake  bottom.  No  oak,  or  beech, 
or  pine  raised  its  head  through  the  covering  of  lake-slime  that  sep- 
erated  the  slumbering  place  of  vegetable  germs  from  the  animat- 
ing influence  of  the  sun  and  air.  By  degrees,  however,  the  floods 
washed  down  the  seeds  of  grasses  and  herbs  upon  the  desert  area, 
and  humbler  forms  of  vegetation  crept  from  the  borders  towards 
the  centre.  At  length  the  entire  area  smiled  with  vernal  flowers, 
and  browned  in  the  frosty  blasts  of  winter. 

The  bulky  acorn,  and  walnut,  and  hickory  nut,  traveled  with 
less  facility,  and  the  forest  more  sluggishly  encroached  upon  the 
lake's  abandoned  domain.  In  this  stage  of  history  the  Indian  was 
here.  For  aught  we  know,  he  was  here  while  yet  the  prairies 
were  a  lake  bottom.  His  canoe  may  have  paddled  over  the  future 
spires  of  Bloomington,  or  the  towering  dome  of  the  new  State 
House,  at  Springfield.  The  muscalonge  and  pike  may  have  been 
pursued  through  the  future  streets  of  Chicago  or  Peoria,  but  at 
least  the  Indian  was  present  in  the  interval  of  time  by  which  the 
herb  distanced  the  tree  in  their  race  for  the  possession  of  the  new 
soil.  In  this  interval  he  plied  the  firebrand  t?6  the  brown  sedges  of 
autumn,  and  made  for  himself  an  Indian  summer  sky,  while  he 
cleared  his  favorite  hunting  ground  of  the  rank  growths  which  im- 
peded both  eye  and  foot.  While  the  Indian  was  engaged  in  these 
pursuits,  and  while  yet  the  forest  had  not  time  to  extend  itself 
over  the  prairie,  the  white  man  came  up  the  lake  from  Mackinac, 
crossed  over  the  prairies  to  the  Mississippi,  saw  the  Indian  engaged 
in  his  burnings,  and  hastily  concluded  that  this  was  the  means  by 
which  the  trees  had  been  swept  off,  ignorant  of  the  history  that 
had  passed,  and  which  was  even  then,  as  now,  in  very  progress, 
and   which   was   even  then,  as  now,  actually  crowding  the   forest 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  73 


upon  the  prairies,  bringing  about  the  day  when,  perhaps,  a  thous- 
and years  hence,  the  prairies,  like  the  forests  of  Lancashire,  will 
live  only  in  history. 


EARLY  EFFORTS  AT  FRUIT  GROWING  IN  MASON 

COUNTY. 


The  following  articles  and  correspondence  was  prepared  many 
years  ago,  by  the  author  of  this  work,  for  the  Warsaw  Horti- 
cultural So'ciety,  and  are  here  copied  from  the  Journals  of  that 
efficient  and  commendable  organization.  Little  thought  had  the 
writer  at  that  time  that  the  communications  then  prepared  would 
be  used  at  this  date,  for  the  Centennial  History  of  Mason  county. 
We  extract  from  the  proceedings  of  that  Society: 

"The  Secretary  also  read  a  letter  from  J.  Cochrane,  Secretary  of 
the  Mason  County,  111.,  Horticultural   Society,  as  follows:" 

Havana,  III.,  March  22,  1867. 
N.  W.  Bliss,  Esq. 

Dear  Sir — Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  17th  inst.,  was  duly 
received.  Please  to  accept  my  thanks  for  the  accompanying  ar- 
ticle from  your  pen;  also,  for  papers  received  a  short  time  since.  I 
will  comply  with  your  request  in  regard  to  the  history  of  the 
Gardner  Orchard,  at  an  early  date.  I  herewith  send  you  a  con- 
densed statement,  furnished  me,  of  the  Fisk  orchard,  one  of  the  old- 
est, if  not  the  oldest,  in  this  county. 

"In  the  fall  of  1837,  we  planted  a  lot  of  apple  seeds,  plum 
and  peach  pits  in  a  small  space  of  ground  dug  up  for  that  purpose. 
In  the  spring  following,  many  of  them  came  up,  and,  with  diligent 
culture,  grew  finely.  In  two  years  they  were  ready  for  trans- 
planting. 

"They   were   set   out  in   a  valley,   and   on   the    side   of  a   ridge 
facing  the  north.     The  ridge  was  covered  with  bushes,  interspersed 
— 10 


74  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

with  large  timber.  The  flat  is  of  our  richest  black  sandy  loam,  at 
the  depth  of  three  or  four  feet  underlaid  with  a  stiff  clay  subsoil. 
The  ridge  has  but  little  soil  upon  it,  towards  the  south  part  of  the 
orchard.  Soil,  light  sand,  subsoil  yellow  sand,  yet  blue-grass  will 
grow  upon  it.  A  few  years  later  we  purchased  about  a  dozen  of 
trees  from  near  Decatur,  of  the  large  Romanite  variety. 

"Now,  as  to  the  results.  Some  winters  the  water  would  rise  in 
the  flats,  but  to  obviate  this,  we  hilled  up  the  place  for  the  trees, 
and  by  after  cultivation  the  mounds  were  increased.  The  first 
trees  were  set  out  in  the  spring  of  1S40,  and  in  1846  a  number  of 
them  bore  fruit,  but  the  hard  winter  of  '45  and  '46  killed  the  Deca- 
tur trees  to  the  ground  and  some  of  them  never  sprouted.  The 
seedlings  remained,  some  of  them  I  have  grafted,  and  some  bear 
apples  I  am  loth  to  part  with,  and  do  not  care  to  graft.  Two  of 
them  bear  a  small  striped  red  and  green  apple  that  will  keep  until 
August.  Two  of  them  bear  early  apples;  one  is  a  striped  apple, 
sheep-nose  in  shape,  medium — sub-acid — juicy.  The  other,  striped 
red  and  yellow — medium — sub-acid — juicy — flesh  firm. 

"Another  bears  a  white  apple,  skin  tender,  flesh  white,  brittle 
and  firm,  sub-acid,  September,  medium.  Another  produces  a  yel- 
low fruit,  very  juicy,  intensely  sour,  and  very  rich,  as  are  all  the  pre- 
ceding. Still  another  grows  a  large  green  apple  with  red  streaks. 
In  size  and  color  somewhat  resembles  the  Rambo,  ripens  about 
the  15th  of  August,  sub-acid,  tender  and  delicate.  Others  bear 
good,  common  fruit,  and  from  these  trees  I  have  a  succession  of 
fruit  the  year  round,  and  every  year. 

"The  peach  trees  bore  in  three  years.  They  bore  well  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  at  the  winter  aforenamed,  they  went  the  way  of  all 
the  earth.  There  are  a  few  now  on  the  place,  but  their  fruiting  is 
like  angel's  visits.  The  plum  trees  were  suffered  to  remain  with- 
out transplanting.  I  have  quite  a  thicket  of  them;  they  bear  every 
year;  are  not  equal  to  some  other  varieties,  yet  some  persons  con- 
sider them  worth  stealing." 

I  am  now  getting  another  orchard  of  grafted  fruit.  Some  of  the 
trees,  gotten  five  years  ago  of  Prof.  Turner,  of  Jacksonville, 
fruited  this  and  last  year.  Also,  quite  a  lot  of  Chickasaw,  Blue 
and  Lombard  plums;  all  except  the  latter  have  been  bearing.  I 
am  not  troubled  with  curculio  so  as  to  suffer  any  inconvenience. 
Mv  remedy  is  to   do  nothing,  hence  not  expensive. 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY 


75 


Our  county  Horticultural  Society  is  in  its  tottering  infancy;  we 
hope  to  see  it  able,  at  least,  to  be  standing  alone  during  the  present 
summer. 

I  am  urging  the  matter  of  our  folks  taking  horticultural  journals, 
and  will  do  "what  in  me  lies"  for  the  State  Society.  Anything 
you  can  put  in  our  way,  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  will  be  duly 
appreciated. 

Truly  yours, 

J.  Cochrane. 

The  Secretary  remarked  that  the  history  of  the  Fisk  orchard 
should  encourage  all  to  experiment  in  raising  seedlings,  and  thus 
increase  the  varieties  of  fruits,  and  at  the  same  time  secure  hardi- 
ness and  productiveness. 

Extract  from  the  proceedings  of  a  meeting  held  by  the  Warsaw 
Horticultural  Society,  at  Warsaw,  Illinois,  June  27,  1867: 

"President  A.  C.  Hammond  called  the  meeting  to  order.  Min- 
utes of  the  last  meeting  read  and  approved. 

The  Secretary  said  he  would  read  to  the  Society  a  history  of  the 
"  Gardner  Orchard,"  furnished  by  Joseph  Cochrane,  Esq.,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Mason  county,  Illinois,  Horticultural  Society,  as  fol- 
lows : 

Havana,  III.,  May  16,  1S67. 
N.  W.  Bliss,  Esq.: 

Dear  Sir — According  to  promise,  I  proceed  to  give  you  a  brief 
history  of  the  "  Gardner  Orchard,"  in  Fulton  county,  near  this 
city.  The  "improvement"  was  begun  by  the  father  of  the  present 
owner  of  the  Gardner  estate,  many  years  ago,  before  the  time  had 
come  (in  this  vicinity)  that 

The  furrows  were  deep  that  the  plowman  had  made, 
And  the  engines  of  war  were  the  harrow  and  spade; 
That  the  Soldiers  of  Labor  had  homes  on  their  lands, 
With  their  great  stalwart  chests,  and  their  big  bony  hands; 
Where  the  Farmer  sat  down  in  the  stillness  of  even, 
And  their  children  sang  songs  to  "  The  Father  "  in  Heaven. 

A  lot  of  apple  seed  was  obtained  from  Griffith's  orchard  above 
the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  River,  near  St.  Charles,  Mo.,  in  the  fall 
of  1824,  and  planted  in  a  nursery  the  succeeding  spring,  where  the 
young  trees  remained  till  three  years  old,  when  four  hundred  were 
selected  and  planted  out  in  orchard.  The  ground  selected  for  the 
orchard  site  was  high  prairie  soil,  rich  sandy  loam,  with  a  clay  sub- 
soil, sheltered  on  the  East  and  North  by  timber  and  bluffs. 


76  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


The  trees  commenced  bearing  at  various  ages,  from  five  years 
upward.     The   fruit  generally   was  remarkable  for  keeping  well 

and  for  long  periods;  the  fruit  from  many  of  the  trees  keeping  well 
till  June,  and  even  later.  It  was  not  generally  of  the  largest  size, 
hut  good  in  quality  and  variety.  Among  the  trees  of  this  orchard, 
which  hear  early  fruit,  is  the  Fulton  strawberry,  an  apple  which 
has  become  too  well  known  to  be  described  here,  and  as  favorably 
as  widely  known.  The  old,  original  tree  is  still  standing,  full  of 
blossoms,  to-day,  and  bids  fair  to  produce  an  abundant  crop,  as  for 
thirty  yearspast  it  has  rarely  failed  to  do.  The  fruit  of  this  orchard 
generally  was  'of  so  good  a  quality  that  a  nurseryman  sought  and 
obtained  the  privilege  of  cutting  grafts  of  about  forty  varieties  there- 
from, for  the  purpose  of  propagation.  What  the  longevity  of  these 
trees  would  have  been  under  favorable  circumstances  cannot  be 
stated,  as  the  very  disastrous  hailstorm  of  May  2S,  1S40,  destroyed 
nearly  the  entire  orchard,  or  so  injured  the  trees  that  they  were  cut 
down  as  cumberers  of  the  ground,  excepting  a  few,  among  which 
is  the  afore-mentioned  Fulton  Strawberry. 

None  of  the  trees  of  this  orchard  were  ever  affected  by  blight  or 
other  disease,  but  they  were  magnificent  specimens  of  thriftiness 
and  healthfulness. 

Pear  trees  have  not  done  well  in  this  locality,  having  invariably 
died  of  blight. 

Peaches  have  succeeded,  especially  a  black  seedling  brought  from 
Kentucky.     The  Red  or  Indian  Peach  has  also  done  well  here. 

Early  settlers  in  Mason  and  McDonough  counties  came  and 
selected  trees  from  those  remaining  in  the  original  Gardner  apple 
tree  nursery,  thus  raised  from  seed  brought  from  St.  Charles,  Mo., 
and  did  themselves  and  their  posterity  good  service  thereby,  for  the 
fullness  of  time  had  not  yet  come  when  philanthropic  individuals 
should  disinterestedly  perambulate  the  country,  recommending, 
with  exaggerated  pictures  and  studied  eloquence,  the  "wonderful 
strawberries  and  marvelous  grapes1'  they  have  to  sell,  at  the  low 
price  of  $3  per  plant,  to  the  "  hard-fisted  yeomanry  "  of  the  land. 

If  I  were  called  upon  to  name  the  obstacle  to  the  general  plant- 
ing and  cultivation  of  fruit  in  this  country,  I  should  unhesitatingly 
say  it  is  the  Tree  Peddler,  who,  being  itinerant,  does  not  hesitate 
to  tell  the  most  stupendous  lies,  in  praise  and  recommendation  of 
what  he  has  to  sell.      Thus  purchasers  are  imposed   upon,  and  after 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  77 


much  time  and  money  is  thus  spent  to  no  purpose,  they  become 
discouraged  in  their  very  laudable  undertakings. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

Joseph  Cochrane. 

On  motion,  the  thanks  of  the  Society  were  tendered  to  Mr. 
Cochrane  for  his  very  interesting  and  instructive  contribution  to 
Apple  History,  in  giving  us  this  valuable  account  of  the  "  Gardner 
Orchard." 

Since  the  above  account  of  the  Gardner  orchard  was  written, 
the  old  Gardner  homestead  has  descended  to  Mr.  James  Gardner, 
the  grandson  of  the  original  proprietor,  who,  with  his  accomplished 
wife,  now  occupies  the  old  home. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  we  find,  in  the  early  history  of  the 
county,  there  were  apple  trees  planted  by  Mr.  O.  E.  Foster,  three 
miles  northeast  of  Havana,  about  the  year  1835  or  1S36,  and  by 
another  party,  whose  name  we  have  been  unable  to  learn,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Crane  creek. 

AGRICULTURE  IN   I  776. 

From  an  eastern  publication  we  extract  the  following,  which 
may  interest  the  reader  as  to  "  then  "  and  "  now :" 

In  the  course  of  a  century,  within  their  narrow  fringe  of  country, 
the  colonists  had  transformed  the  wilderness  into  a  fertile  and  pro- 
ductive territory.  Agriculture  was  their  favorite  pursuit.  Trav- 
elers from  Europe  were  struck  with  the  skill  with  which  they  cul- 
tivated the  rich  and  abundant  soil,  the  fine  farm  houses  that  filled 
the  landscape,  the  barns  overflowing  with  harvests,  the  cattle,  the 
sheep.  The  northern  and  middle  colonies  for  wheat  and  corn  were 
famous.  Pennsylvania  was  the  granary  of  the  nation.  In  New 
Jersey  the  farms  that  spread  from  Trenton  to  Elizabethtown  ex- 
cited the  admiration  of  the  scientific  Kalm.  Long  Island  was  the 
garden  of  America,  and  all  along  the  valleys  opening  upon  the 
Hudson,  the  Dutch  and  Huguenot  colonists  had  acquired  ease  and 
opulence  by  a  careful  agriculture.  The  farm-houses,  usually  built 
of  stone,  with  tall  roofs  and  narrow  windows,  were  scenes  of  in- 
telligent industry.  While  the  young  men  labored  in  the  fields,  the 
mothers  and  daughters  spun  wool  and  flax,  and  prepared  a  large 
part  of  the  clothing  of  the  family.  The  farm-house  was  a  manu- 
factory for  all  the  articles  of  daily  use.  Even  nails  were  hammered 
out  in  winter,  and  the  farmer  was  his  own  mechanic.     A  school 


78  HISTORY   OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

aud  a  church  were  provided  for  almost  every  village.  Few  chil- 
dren were  left  untaught  by  the  Dutch  dominie,  who  was  sometimes 
paid  in  wampum;  or  the  New  England  student,  who  lived  among 
his  patrons,  and  was  not  always  fed  upon  the  daintiest  fare.  On 
Sunday,  labor  Ceased,  the  church-bell  tolled  in  the  distance,  a  happy 
calm  settled  upon  the  rural  region,  and  the  farmer  and  his  family, 
in  their  neatest  dress,  rode  or  walked  to  the  village  church.  The 
farming  class,  usually  intelligent  and  rational,  formed  in  the  north- 
ern colonies  the  sure  reliance  of  freedom,  and  when  the  invasion 
came,  the  Hessians  were  driven  out  of  New  Jersey  by  the  general 
rising  of  its  laboring  farmers,  and  Burgoyne  was  captured  by  the 
resolution  of  the  people  rather  than  by  the  timid  generalship  of 
Gates. 

The  progress  of  agriculture  at  the  South   was  even   more  rapid 
and  remarkable  than   at  the  North.     The   wilderness  was  swiftly 
converted  into  a  productive  region.     The  coast  from  St.  Mary's  to 
the  Delaware,  with  its  inland  country,  became  within  a  centurv  the 
most  valuable  portion  of  the   earth.     Its    products   were    eagerlv 
sought  for  in   alla^the  capitals  of  Europe,  and  one  noxious  plant  of 
Virginia  had  supplied  mankind  with  a  new  vice  and  a  new  pleas- 
ure.    It  would  be  useless  to  relate  again  the  story  of  the  growth  of 
the  tobacco  trade.     Its  cultivation  in  Virginia  was  an  epoch  in  the 
history  of  man.     Tobacco  was  to  Virginia  the  life  of  trade  and  in- 
tercourse; prices  were  estimated  in  it;  salaries  of  the  clergy  were 
fixed  at  so  many  pounds  of  tobacco.     All  other  products  of  the  soil 
were  neglected  in   order  to   raise   the   savage  plant.     Ships  from 
England   came   over  annually   to  gather  in  the   great  crops  of  the 
large  planters,  and   Washington,  one  of  the  most  successful   land- 
owners and   agriculturists,  was  accustomed  to   watch   keenly  over 
the  vessels  and  their  captains  who  sailed  up  the  Potomac  to  his  very 
dock.     The   English   traders  seem   to  have   been  often  anxious  to 
depreciate  his  cargoes  and  lower   his  prices.     Virginia  grew  enor- 
mously rich  from  the  sudden  rise  of  an  artificial  taste.     From  1S24, 
when  the  production  of  tobacco  was  first  made  a  royal  monopoly, 
until  the  close  of  the  colonial  period,  the  production  and  consump- 
tion rose  with  equal  rapidity,  and  in    1775,  85,000  hogsheads  were 
exported    annually,    and    the    sale    of  tobacco    brought    in   nearlv 
$4,000,000  to  the  southern  colonies.     This  was  equal  to  about  one- 
third  of  the  whole   export    of  the    colonies.     Happily    since    that 
period  the  proportion  has  rapidly  decreased,  and   more  useful  arti- 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


79 


cles    have    formed   the   larger  part   of  the  export  from  the   New 
World  to  to  the  Old. 

One  of  these  was  rice.  A  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  it  is  re- 
lated, had  been  in  Madagascar,  and  seen  the  plant  cultivated  in  its 
hot  swamps.  He  lived  in  Charleston,  on  the  bay,  and  it  struck 
him  that  a  marshy  spot  in  his  garden  might  well  serve  for  a  plan- 
tation of  rice.  Just  then — 1694 — a  vessel  put  in  from  Madagascar, 
in  distress,  whose  commander  the  Governor  had  formerly  known. 
Her  wants  were  liberally  relieved.  In  gratitude  for  the  kindness 
he  received,  the  master  gave  the  Governor  a  bag  of  rice.  It  was 
sown  and  produced  abundantly.  The  soil  proved  singularly  favor- 
able for  its  culture.  The  marshes  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina 
were  soon  covered  with  rice  plantations.  A  large  part  of  the  crop 
was  exported  to  England.  In  1724,  100,000  barrels  were  sent  out 
from  South  Carolina  alone.  In  1761,  the  value  of  its  rice  crop 
was  more  than  $1,500,000.  Its  white  population  could  not  have 
been  more  than  45,000,  and  it  is  easy  to  conceive  the  tide  of  wealth 
that  was  distributed  annually  among  its  small  band  of  planters. 
They  built  costly  mansions  on  the  coasts  and  bays,  lived  in  fatal 
luxury,  were  noted  for  their  wild  excesses,  and  often  fell  speedy 
victims  to  the  fevers  of  the  malarious  soil.  Indigo,  sugar,  molasses, 
tar,  pitch,  and  a  great  variety  of  valuable  productions  added  to  the 
wealth  of  the  south.  But  cotton,  which  has  grown  through  many 
vicissitudes  to  be  the  chief  staple  of  British  and  American  trade, 
was,  at  this  period,  only  cultivated  in  small  quantities  for  the  use  of 
the  farmers.  It  was  spun  into  coarse  cloths.  But  it  was  not  until 
Whitney's  invention,  in  1793,  that  it  could  be  readily  prepared  for 
commerce,  and  to  the  inventive  genius  of  Connecticut,  the  South- 
ern States  owe  the  larger  part  of  their  wealth  and  political  impor- 
tance. 


HAVANA. 


Havana  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Illinois 
river,  and  is  the  county  seat  of  the  county.  The  situation  is  some- 
what elevated,  perhaps  an  average  of  forty  feet  above  the  river. 
It  contains  many  fine  residences  and  pleasant  homes,  and  more 
than  ordinary  taste  is  exhibited  in  the  improvement  and  ornamen- 
tation of  grounds. 

The  town  contains,  as  near  as  we  can  estimate  in  the  absence  of 
precise  figures,  3,000  inhabitants.  During  the  past  year  has  erected 
a  fine  school  edifice  on  the  bluff  east  of  the  court  house,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  nearly  $30,000,  an  improvement  of  which  our  citizens  are 
justly  proud.  In  addition  to  this  main  central  school  house,  there  are 
smaller  houses  for  the  primary  schools  in  both  the  north  and  south 
ends  of  the  town. 

The  churches  are  as  follows:  The  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
corner  of  Main  and  Broadway,  is  a  good,  plain  house,  and  the 
place  of  worship  of  one  of  the  oldest  societies  in  the  city.  Being 
centrally  located,  and  of  easy  access,  it  is  as  well  attended  as  any. 
The  Reformed  church  is  located  on  the  second  block  south  of  the 
M.  E.  church;  a  neat,  well  finished  house,  of  unpretentious  ap- 
pearance, erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $7,000. 

The  Lutheran  church,  on  the  bluff  northeast  of  the  court  house, 
is  still  smaller,  though  the  average  attendance  is  larger  than  in  the 
two  preceding.  It  is  as  old,  if  not  the  oldest  organization  in  the 
city,  and  its  membership  is  the  wealthiest  of  any.  A  neat  parson- 
age is  attached  to  their  grounds,  and  their  pastor  has  a  pleasant 
home. 

In  the  northern  part  of  town  is  the  Catholic  church,  a  neat, 
commodious  frame  building,  as  are  all  the  others,  very  tastefully 
finished.  This  society  has  a  large  membership,  and  some  of  the 
most  substantial    citizens  of  town  and   country  are   included   in   its 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  8l 

numbers.  All  the  foregoing  churches  have  pastors  in  charge,  and 
regular  services,  though  .the  minister  of  the  Reformed  church  re- 
ceives his  salary  from  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  that 
church  in  the  East. 

The  Baptist  church  is  a  neat  frame  building,  near  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  public  square.  The  membership  is  few  in  number, 
and  without  a  minister  at  this  time. 

Our  Swedish  citizens,  of  whom  there  are  about  fifty,  are  making 
efforts  to  hold  religious  services  in  their  own  language,  and  a  min- 
ister of  that  nationality  has  recently  visited  them  several  times  for 
that  purpose.  A  word  in  reference  to  our  Swedish  population. 
Though  not  wealthy,  they  are  in  fair  circumstances,  and  are  right- 
ly ranked  among  our  most  valuable  citizens.  Honest,  industrious, 
temperate  and  reliable  is  the  reference  we  must  make  to  them,  and 
a  personal  acquaintance  with  each  enables  us  to  know  "  whereof 
we  affirm." 

If  there  is  one  class  of  inhabitants  more  than  another  of  whom 
we  have  just  reason  to  be  proud,  it  is  our 

MECHANICS. 

We  have  a  large  number  of  mechanics,  in  all  the  various  trades 
usually  pursued  in  inland  towns.  Carpenters,  machinists,  black- 
smiths, shoemakers,  tailors,  painters,  jewelers,  printers,  tinners,  etc., 
etc.,  that  are  equaled  by  few  and  excelled  by  none.  Strangers 
have  remarked  to  the  writer,  in  regard  to  some  of  our  mechanics, 
whose  abilities  they  had  tested,  that  they  regard  them  as  very  supe- 
rior, indeed.  It  is  ever  our  pleasure  to  give  honor  to  whom  honor 
is  due,  and  we  hold  it  as  a  fundamental  principle  of  a  democratic 
government,  that  the  masses,  the  man  who  earns  his  bread  by  the 
sweat  of  his  brow,  either  in  common  or  skilled  labor,  is  the  bul- 
wark and  stay,  the  anchor  and  safety,  of  the  institutions  of  our 
country.  Hence  the  value  of  the  free  school  system  in  our  country, 
where  the  property  is  taxed  for  the  education  of  the  poor  man's 
children.  With  few  exceptions,  the  best  minds  in  America  have 
sprung  from  the  laboring  classes,  and  been  educated  in  the  common 
schools.     More  of  this  under  another  heading. 

The  first  settlement   was   made   where  Havana  now  stands  in 
1S39.     In  1829,  in  September,  a  postoffice  was  established,  and  six 
— 11 


82  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


years  later,  or  1835,  a  town  was  laid  out — O.  M.  Ross,  proprietor. 
The  second  family  was  named  Myers,  and  the  third  was  the  Kre- 
baum  family,  some  of  the  members  of  which  have  been  identified 
with  the  public  and  business  interests  of  this  city  and  county  down 
to  the  present  day. 

The  details  of  the  early  settlement  of  Havana  are  so  fully  set  forth 
in  the  biographies  of  Pulaski  Scovil,  A.  W.  Kemp,  N.  J.  Rock- 
well, O.  E.  Foster,  J.  H.  Neteler,  and  others,  that  a  repetition  here 
would  be  a  work  of  superogation.  In  lieu  there  of,  we  will  refer 
the  reader  to  the  biographies  above  named,  to  the  extracts  from 
early  newspapers,  and  the  railroad  department. 

Havana  contains  many  substantial  business  houses,  warehouses, 
steam  elevators,  and  three  hotels ;  and  her  trade,  though  not  as  flour- 
ishing as  many  towns,  has  had  a  slow,  healthful  growth.  In  1856 
there  was  no  brick  building  in  Havana.  In  1857  J.  H.  &  D.  P. 
Hole  built  the  first  brick  store,  and  in  the  same  year  Wm.  Walker 
built  the  first  brick  dwelling. 

Havana's  improvement  in  trade  and  the  e-rection  of  new  build- 
ings, has  been  equally  slow.  A  reason  for  this  is  readily  seen  in 
her  manner  of  doing  business.  Manufactures  of  various  kinds  have 
been  undertaken  here  and  failed  for  the  want  of  patronage,  and 
from  being  driven  out  by  competitive  articles  being  brought  in  and 
sold  at  such  rates  that  an  honest  workman  could  not  compete  with 
shoddy  articles,  and  from  a  determination  of  the  people  to  buy  no- 
thing at  home  that  could  be  shipped  here  from  abroad.  This  sys- 
tem of  business  has  been  felt  here  in  every  department  of  trade. 
We  aim  to  state  facts  and  facts  only,  and  the  preceding  we 
would  gladly  have  omitted  had  candor  allowed  it  to  have  been 
done. 

No  city  in  our  knowledge  can  claim  more  beautifully  laid  out 
or  better  improved  streets  than  Havana.  All  are  regular  and  cross- 
ing each  other  at  right-angles,  corresponding  to  the  four  cardinal 
points  of  the  compass,  and  beautifully  ornamented  with  trees.  Our 
town  viewed  from  some  of  the  fine  elevations  within  its  limits,  pre- 
sents the  appearance  of  a  densely  peopled  forest,  many  of  the 
buildings  being  entirely  obscured  by  trees.  Among  the  many  fine 
improvements  we  can  name,  are  the  residences  of  Adolph  Kre- 
baum,  R.  R.  Simmons,  C.  G.  Krebaum,  F.  II.  Cappel,  L.  Dear- 
born, S.  C.  Conwell,  and  others. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  85 


all  were  desirous  that  an  enjoyable  time  should  be  the  order  of  the 
day,  with  our  guests  who  might  favor  us  with  their  presenee  on 
that  occasion.  To  this  end,  many  of  the  buildings  were  orna- 
mented with  shrubbery  and  flags ;  wreathes  and  arches  spanned  the 
streets. 

The  morning  was  rendered  unpropritious  by  a  slight  rainfall, 
and  the  two  first  trains  brought  but  few  guests. 

The  skies  brightened,  and  the  faces  of  our  people  partook  of  the 
same  blessing.  Wagons  and  carriages  brought  their  hundreds 
from  the  country,  and  the  later  trains  brought  other  hundreds. 

A  band  of  music  enlivened  the  scene.  At  the  park,  all  was  life 
and  enjoyment.  A  tall  liberty  pole,  with  the  national  emblem, 
graced  the  summit  of  the  mound  in  the  park.  The  tables  were 
being  loaded  with  the  abundant  supply  of  food  for  the  assembling 
mass. 

In  the  streets  processions  were  formed  by  the  benevolent  orders 
of  the  city,  and  others,  who  marched  to  the  already  well  filled 
park. 

To  omit  a  reference  to  the  decorations  of  the  engines  and  the 
passenger  coaches  would  be  unjust.  The  employees  of  the  P.,  P. 
&  J.  road  took  especial  pains  to  make  their  display  of  evergreens, 
wreaths  and  bouquets  tasteful,  while  hundreds  of  banners  were  at- 
tached to  all  trains.  A  passenger  coach  on  the  fast  express,  Mr. 
McSherry,  conductor,  was  especially  tasteful.  The  inside  of  the 
coach  was  a  profusion  of  wreaths,  bouquets,  evergreens,  flags,  etc., 
etc.,  commendable  alike  to  the  taste  and  patriotism  of  this  gentle- 
manly conductor,  who  spared  no  expense  to  make  it  attractive. 

The  proceedings  at  the  speakers1  stand  were  opened  by  the 
president  of  the  day,  in  a  few  introductory  remarks,  followed  by  a 
brief  prayer  by  the  chaplain.  The  reading  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  by  Judge  J.  A.  Mallory,  was  preceded  by  a  few 
well  timed  remarks  by  the  Judge  that  were  as  happily  conceived 
as  they  were  beautiful  in  their  expression. 

The  reading  was  followed  by  an  oration  by  Prof.  Williams,  of 
Wabash  College,  Indiana.  For  conception,  delivery,  matter,  lan- 
guage, intonation,  etc.,  we  have  heard  few  to  excel  it.  Space  for- 
bids even  a  synopsis. 

Atter  the  speaking,  ample  justice  was  done  to  the  large  supply 
of  viands.  All  had  plenty.  The  five  thousand  were  fed,  not  with 
five  loaves  and  two  fishes,  but  with  five  hundred  loaves,  eight  hun- 


S6  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY 


dred  pounds  of  dressed  fish  and  four  fatted  cattle.     All  were  well 
done  and  in  every  way  satisfactory. 

The  old  squatter  sovereignty  doctrine  was  amply  illustrated  during 
the  afternoon,  to- wit:  that  every  body  should  enjoy  themselves  as 
their  taste  and  inclinations  dictated,  and  most  thoroughly  and  effect- 
uallv  was  that  done. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  are  enabled  to  add  that  the  dav  passed 
without  accident  or  hurt  to  any. 

In  the  evening  came  the  display  of  fire-works,  but  these  were 
superceded  and  displaced  by  a  most  magnificent  display  of  the 
pvrotechnics  of  the  heavens,  and  the  booming  of  the  artillery  of 
the  skies.  The  vivid  lightning  blaze,  and  the  reverbration  of  na- 
ture's heaviest  ordnance  continued  most  of  the  night,  accompanied 
by  the  extraordinary  rainfall  of  three  and  one-half  inches  of 
water. 

We  hazard  the  opinion  that  the  4th  will  be  long  remembered 
by  those  who  partook  in  these  centennial  festivities,  and  as  time 
rolls  on  into  the  second  century  of  our  National'  existence,  ushered 
in  this  dav,  it  will  be  with  gratification  and  great  satisfaction,  that 
we  can  all  look  back  on  our  participation  in  the  celebration  of  July 
4th,  1876. 

METEOROLOGICAL. 

I  append  an  abstract  of  Meteorological  observations,  taken  in 
Havana,  on  latitude  forty,  longitude  ninety,  above  the  sea  level  four 
hundred  and  seventy-five  feet,  by  the  author  of  this  work,  who  is 
observer  for  the  Signal  Service  of  the  United  States  Army: 

The  annexed  table  exhibits  the  annual  aqueous  precipitation  at 
the  several  points  named,  from  observations  taken  during  the  vari- 
ous lengths  of  time,  ranging  from  one  to  eighteen  years.  By  com- 
paring the  amount  of  actual  rainfall,  the  latitude,  the  elevation,  the 
proximity  to  lakes  and  rivers,  or  the  per  cent,  of  timber  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  point  of  observation,  we  have  been  unable  to  fix 
any  rule  or  cause  for  the  variableness  of  amounts. 

There  may,  however,  be  a  slight  observance  of  increased  pre- 
cipitation in  the  line  of  extended  river  bottoms  covered  with  tim- 
ber. From  our  own  point  of  observation  we  have  abundant  reason 
for  arriving  at  this  conclusion.  Havana  is  situated  on  a  high,  sandy 
bluff,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  averaging  about  seventy 
feet  above  the   river.     The  west  bank  of  the  river  is   low  bottom 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


s7 


lands,  covered  with  timber,  and  about  an  average  of  four  miles 
wide,  and  they  are  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  wooded  bluffs  of 
Fulton  county. 

About  twenty  miles  south  of  this  point  the  Illinois  river  receives 
the  Sangamon  river  from  the  northeast,  forming  the  southeastern 
boundary  of  Mason  county.  The  bluffs  and  bottoms  of  the  San- 
gamon are  similar  in  structure  and  extent  to  those  of  the  Illinois. 
After  a  residence  of  eighteen  years  at  this  point,  and  noting  the 
rainfall  carefully  on  my  meteorological  record,  I  am  fully  convinced 
that  our  summer  rains,  usually  from  the  southwest,  divide  at  the 
confluence  of  these  rivers,  and  timber  belts  that  fringe  their  shores, 
leaving  the  central  portion  of  the  county  with  much  less  rainfall 
than  would  be  shown  by  observations  taken  in  a  central  line  of  the 
timber  belts: 

INCHES. 

Pekin 41 .25 

Warsaw 40.18 

Batavia  36 .  68 

Alton 


Brighton. 


•39 
3° 


Ottawa 37 

R 


iley 


39 


Aurora   . ; 36 

Winnebago 37 

Evanston .24 

Waynesville 42 

Lee  Centre 32 

Jacksonville 35 

Elmira 36 

Waynet 40 

Dubois 45 

Athens 39 

Yorkneck 44 

Manchester 37 

Augusta 37 

Marengo 38 

Peoria 35 

Salem 42 

Urbana 34 

Elgin 37 


00 
19 

45 
61 

83 

78 

74 
00 

35 
87 

31 

'5 
62 

40 

79 

H 
08 

S3 

23 

89 

71 


SS  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

Sandwich 50 . 1 7 

Lebanon 37-93 

Galesburg 35 .04 

Highland 35 .67 

Waverly 35 .  67 

Elmore. ...    37 .07 

Havana 33-3° 

Height  above  the  sea  of  several  localities  in  Illinois,  taken  by  the 
writer  at  the  solicitation  of  Prof.  Henry,  of  the  Smithsonian  In- 
stitution, for  that  institution : 

FEET. 

Springfield 615 

Petersburg 510 

Cuba 67S 

Havana 465 

Highland 620 

Elmore 612 

Magnolia • 500 

Jacksonville 676 

Athens 800 

Chicago 591 

Batavia 636 

Marengo ...    S24 

Peoria  bluffs 512 

Urbana 550 

Winnebago 900 

Evanston 644 

Keokuk,  Iowa 444 

Galesburg 740 

Canton 678 

Lewistown 582 

Lebanon 505 

Waverly 6S0 

Murray  ville 633 

Illinois  river,  at  Peoria 420 

Illinois  river,  at  Havana 415 

Pekin 459 

Warsaw 550 

Alton 650 

Ottawa '. 500 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  89 


Aurora 696 

Wheaton -    .682 

Elgin 777 

Sandwich 665 

The  greatest  amount  of  rainfall  during  any  one  month  was  June, 
1872,  when  the  enormous  amount  of  9.S3  inches  fell,  and  nearly  all 
of  that  excessive  amount  during  the  first  six  days  of  the  month. 
The  least  amount  was  in  October,  1872,  and  in  August,  1873,  when 
0.S4  and  0.S9  of  an  inch  respectively  fell.  The  maximum  temper- 
ature for  August,  1S73,  was  103  deg.,  and  the  maximum  for  Octo- 
ber, 1872,  was  86  deg.  The  mean  temperature  for  August,  1S73, 
was  75^2  deg.,  and  for  October,  1S72,  it  was  50  deg.  These  tem- 
peratures, compared  with  the  corresponding  months  of  other  years, 
show  no  excessive  degrees  of  temperature  over  the  same  month, 
when  the  amount  of  rainfall  was  greater  or  of  an  average  amount. 
[See  table.] 

My  record  shows,  however,  considerable  cloudiness,  and  conse- 
quentl}^  an  obstruction  of  sunlight,  with  the  natural  result,  as  a  con- 
sequence, of  a  less  generation  of  heat,  as  set  forth  and  illustrated  in 
a  succeeding  part  of  my  subject.  Thirty-eight  and  three-tenths 
inches  is  the  average  rainfall  for  a  group  of  stations  in  this  State, 
whose  aggregate  terms  of  observation  amount  to  ninety-nine  years. 
Every  increase  in  the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere  of  27  deg. 
doubles  its  capacity  to  hold  moisture,  consequently  those  localities 
most  subject  to  frequent  changes  of  temperature  are  liable  to  the 
most  rainfall,  more,  also,  in  a  southerly  than  in  a  northerly  locality, 
because  the  high  temperature  makes  the  atmosphere  capable  of  a 
larger  amount  of  moisture,  Temperatures  are  less  changeable  in 
the  vicinities  of  the  great  lakes  than  farther  inland,  conse- 
quently the  aqueous  precipitation  is  more  uniform  in  Northern 
than  Central  Illinois.  I  append,  from  reliable  sources,  some  of 
the  most  remarkable  temperatures  of  the  earth,  that  the  reader 
can  compare  his  own  locality  with  that  of  his  more  or  less  favored 
neighbor. 

Thibet,  in  Central  Asia,  has  valleys  between  her  snow-capped 
mountains  where  they  endure  a  heat  of  150  deg.  Fahrenheit;  Sen- 
egal, in  South  Africa,  and  Gaudaloupe,  in  the  West  Indies,  130 
deg.;  the  Desert  of  Sahara,  130  deg.  during  the  day  and  extremely 
cool  nights;  Persia,  126  deg.;  Calcutta  and  the  Delta  of  the  Gan- 

— 12 


90  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

ges  and  Central  America,  120  deg.  is  the  limit.  In  the  jungles  of 
Afghanistan  and  the  deserts  of  Egypt,  no  deg.;  Cape  Colony,  in 
Africa,  Greece  in  Europe,  Utah  in  America,  105  deg.  is  the  maxi- 
mum; Arabia,  105  deg.;  and  Montreal  and  Quebec  endure  the 
same  summer  temperature.  New  York,  Spain,  Upper  India,  Can- 
ton in  China,  Island  of  Jamaica  and  the  Southern  United  States, 
100  deg.;  Sierra  Leone,  in  Africa,  Guinea,  in  South  America,  and 
the  Island  of  Ceylon,  93  deg.;  France,  St.  Petersburg,  Denmark, 
Belgium,  Burmah,  Shanghai,  .Sandwich  Islands,  Buenos  Ayres 
and  Trinidad,  90  deg. ;  Nova  Scotia,  S7  deg.;  England,  Ireland, 
Sicily,  Siam  and  Peru,  85  deg.;  Pekin,  in  China,  and  Portugal  So 
deg.;  Liberia,  77  deg.;  Australia,  Scotland,  Italy,  Venezuela,  and 
Maderia,  74  deg.;  Prussia  and  New  Zealand,  70 deg. ;  Switzerland 
and  Hungary,  67  deg.;  Bavaria,  Sweden,  Northern  Liberia,  Tas- 
mania and  Moscow,  65  deg. ;  Norway,  Greenland  and  New  Found- 
land,  60  deg.;  Central  Scotland,  Orkney  Isles,  Patagonia  and 
Falkland  Islands,  50  deg.;  Iceland,  45  deg.;  Nova  Zembla,  the  last 
we  shall  note,  whose  extreme  summer  heat  'rarely  comes  above 
freezing  point,  or  34  deg.  maximum.  In  all  this  range  of  territory, 
climate  and  temperature,  wherever  the  foot  of  man  hath  trod,  or 
eye  could  reach,  from  the  scorching  vales  of  Thibet  to  the  inhos- 
pitable regions  of  Nova  Zembla,  in  the  deserts  of  Sahara,  or  the 
perpetual  snows  of  Greenland  and  Labrador,  the  scenery  is  reliev- 
ed and  brightened  by  the  growth  of  indigenous  plants  and  flowers, 
cheering  the  wanderer  in  the  desert,  and  the  inhabitant  of  the 
snow  hut,  casting  beauty  and  fragrance  on  the  sand  or  on  the 
snows,  varying  their  form  to  suit  their  situation,  from  the  fleshy 
prickly  Cactii  of  Mexico,  to  the  Algea  tribe  that  redden  the  polar 
snows. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


91 


Abstract   of  Aleteorological    Observations    at    Havana,   Illinois, 
from  September  1st,  iS/O,  to  Attgust  1st,  l8j6. 


Year  and  Months. 


K 

K 

ft) 

s 

K 

K 

K 

if 

B  if 

b£ 

S) 

b 

B 

P 

o 

2 

B 

B 

a 

TO 
CO 

B 

JO 

B 

B 

• 

(9 

B 

B 

B 

ft 
£. 
•5" 

Ed 
£ 

3' 


B 
o 

cr 


1870— September. 

"  October  .. 

"  November. 

"  December. 

1871 — January.  .. 

"  February.. 

"  March.... 

April 

"  May 

"  June  

July ■ 

"  August 

"  September. 

"  October   ... 

"  November. 

•v  December. 

1872— January  .. 

'•  February.. 

"  March 

"  April   

"  May 

"  Juue 

"  July 

"  August 

"  September. 

"  October.  . . 

»  November 

"  December. 

1873— January... 

"  February. 

"  March  

"  April 

"  May 

"  June 

"  July 

"  August  — 

"  September 

"  October... 

11  November. 

"  December 


90 

54 

36 

66 

72 

75 

64 

77 

57 

80 

30 

50 

23 

47 

62tf 

50 

67 

39 

68 

15 

53 

41 V* 

34'/, 

50 

39'/, 

58 

29 

56 

62 
60 
78 
90 

—19 

—02 

06 
28 
34 

75 

64 
66 
50 
56 

26 

25 
31 
46 

47 

57 
58 
66 
79 

10 

06 
11 
33 
42 

98 
98 
98 
98 

38 
56 
60 
54 

60 
42 
38 
44 

58 
75 
77 
76 

81 
85 
89 

83 

44 
62 
67 
60 

80 

48 

42 

65 

73 

54 

88 
66 

26 
00 

62 

66 

65 
34H 

71 
54 

40 

11 

56 

50 
54 

—07 

—11 
—10 

63 

61 
64 

23 

22 

27 

47 

39 

47 

-  v% 

—03 
04 

18 

36 

26 

65 

08 

57 

33 

26 

41 

31 

51 

21 

90 

28 

62 

54 

48 

65 

51 

77 

37 

73 

50 

23 

64 

59 

74 

61 

73 

50 

98 

58 

40 

72 

69 

85 

77 

86 

66 

98 

61 

37 

74 

73 

87 

73 

85 

72 

102 

63 

49 

77 

65 

88 

72 

87 

61 

96 

32 

64 

65 

57 

78 

60 

83 

50 

86 

27 

59 

52 

40 

66 

47 

69 

36 

65 

—05 

70 

32 

24 

40 

31 

52 

06 

53 

—23 

76 

19 

12 

26 

19 

42 

—15 

49 

—32 

81 

17 

ny. 

24 

16 

42 

— MV4 

49 

—13 

62 

25 

18 

32 

25 

39 

02 

66 

—03 

69 

37 

30 

46 

35 

52 

08 

87 

32 

55 

47 

42 

55 

46 

73 

35 

87 

46 

41 

63 

56 

73 

60 

74 

49 

100 

56 

44 

75 

70 

90 

73 

86 

68 

98 

62 

36 

73 

67 

85 

74 

87 

65 

103 

57 

46 

75U 

66 

90 

70 

88 

68 

97 

58 

59 

64 

55 

76 

60 

81 

48 

80 

18 

62 

48 

39 

59 

45 

64 

26 

65 

08 

57 

35 

27 

44 

34 

61 

14 

66 

05 

61 

31 

27 

38 

30 

62 

12 

3.36 
3  95 
2..50 
1.71 

4.20 
1.60 
4.25 
2.05 
1.00 
3  00 
5.25 
2.15 
3.00 

3  05 
1.95 
2.40 

0.50 
1..60 
2.48 
2.03 
2.13 
9.83 

4  68 
1.03 

4  35 
0.84 
2.02 
1.61 

5.  CO 
1.83 
0.99 
6  20 
5.58 
1.74 

5  50 
0.89 
5.69 
3.17 
1  68 
7.72 


A  dash  (— )  preceding  a  figure  in  the  above  table  indicates  below  zero. 


02 


HISTORY  OF   MA^oN   COUNTY. 


Abstract  of  Meteorological   Observations. — Continued. 


1874. 


£ 

* 

a 

2 

X 

= 

P 

- 

H 

= 

3 

3  =• 

SjT 

55 

s 

N 

O  " 

3  re 

3 
S 

3 

-1 

B* 

^  = 

-  - 

g  ? 

a 

3 

<3 

■    H 

3    '/• 

s  £ 

O 

:  a 

•     B 

'     B 

3 

£ 

•     '-^ 

.    «< 

3 
O 


January.  ... 
February.   . 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September  . 

October  

November. . 
December. .. 

Sums  .., 

Means 


07o 
56o 
TTo 
TTd 
95 

101 

1U5 

103 
93 
82 
78 
52 


716 
59% 


06 
16 
27 
44 
55 
63 
59 
44 
•24 
08 
02 


340 
28M 


74 
51 
61 
50 
51 
46 
42 
44 
49 
58 
70 
50 


646 
54 


29 
31 

31 
40 
66 
73 
79 
75 
67 
54 
39 
31 


2.61 

62 

i  -; 

51 

1  22 

61 

2  96 

64 

2.42 

81 

2.71 

88 

2.33 

90 

6.48 

86 

2.42 

78 

7.27 

68 

3  20 

68     i 

0.93 

46 

02 
17 

24 
32 

47 
61 

(17 
64 
54 
3S 
13 
08 


615       3U.42     843       425 
511.J,      253  j     7OV4      3514 


2.25 
7  00 
0.25 
5.50 
0  00 

n  to 

0.00 
0.00 

0  00 

0.00 

15.00 
3  00 


83.00 


1875. 

3 
b 
s. 

B 
p 

5* 

0 
B 

P 

3 
? 

3 
0 

B 
3 

: 

1™* 

B  = 

It  'z. 

si 

■     B. 

•  B 

•  vT 

f:  = 
-  r. 
3  r 

r- 

:   ft 

■      B 

:  -5 

* 

X. 

i 
4 

Jan  nary 

51 
50 
84 
82 
94 
95 
100 
90 
94 
82 
63 
70 

-18 
-17 

—  5 
21 
34 
52 
62 
47 
35 
2* 
07 

—  5 

69 
61 
89 
61 
60 
13 
38 
43 
59 
54 
56 
75 

is 

17 
31 
49 

63 
71 
79 
70 
62 
50 
36 
38 

39 
44 
67 
67 
79 
84 
89 
78 
84 
66 
47 
60 

-lov,; 
-  2 

13 

23 

44 

57 

62 

56 

54 

35 

12 

02 

.37 
2.54 
4.14 
2.44 

4.74 
4  88 

s  .->; 

1  30 
G  M 

2  80 
0.81 
2.08 

0  35 

May 

12  ::. 
20.10 

1  00 

July 

August 

2.25 

Totals 

40  B6 

0  82 
1.41 
7.1^3 
2.69 
4.35 
5.60 
9  fil 

36.45 

1876. 
January 

65 

73 
80 
-I 
93 
94 
97 

0 
—  4 
10 
38 
39 
48 
68 

65 
77 
86 
57 
54 
46 
34 

:>.4 
34 
70 
54 

til 
72 

77 

52 
62 
64 

73 
79 
S3 
89 

14 
07 
18 
38 
45 
52 
63 

1  50 

1..50 
20.50 

May 

A  —  preceding  a  figure  indicates  below  zero. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  93 


LIGHT  AND  HEAT. 

In  treating  of  this  branch  of  the  subject  in  connection  with 
Meteorology,  it  will  be  our  aim  to  give  correct  views  of  the  nature 
of  this  all-prevailing  and  life-sustaining  principle  of  light  and  heat, 
which  leads,  also,  to  the  discovery  of  a  wide  and  important  set  of 
truths,  all  tending  to  the  conclusion  that  these  great  agencies,  in 
connection  with  electricity  and  magnetism,  "  which  uphold  life  and 
produce  such  collossal  changes  on  our  globe,  are  but  expressions  in 
different  language  of  the  One  Great  Power." 

These  various  forms  of  energy  are  mutually  convertible,  and 
we  can  express  the  terms  of  each  in  the  terms  of  any  other.  Dr. 
Tyndall,  in  considering  the  important  influence  exerted  by  solar 
radiation  on  the  phenonema  of  life,  says:  "Each  drop  of  rain  or 
flake  of  snow,  each  mountain,  streamlet  or  brimming  river,  owes  its 
existence  to  the  sun's  rays.  It  is  by  the  sun's  rays  that  the  waters 
of  the  ocean  are  lifted  in  the  form  of  vapor  in  the  air,  and  it  is  by 
the  condensation  of  this  atmospheric  moisture  that  every  drop  of 
running  water  on  the  earth's  surface  is  formed.  The  balmy  breeze 
and  the  devastating  tornado  are  alike  the  product  of  the  changes 
of  atmospheric  temperature,  while  the  gradual  crumbling  of  the 
everlasting  hills,  and  the  consequent  formation  of  stratified  rocks 
are  sublime  illustrations  of  the  might  of  the  actions  which,  during 
geological  ages,  the  sun  has  poured  out  on  the  earth.  Nor  is  this 
influence  confined  to  the  inorganic  world;  no  plant  can  grow,  no 
animal  exist,  without  the  vivifying  influence  of  the  sun's  rays.  The 
animal  derives  his  store  of  energy  from  the  plant  necessary  for  the 
maintenance  of  life,  from  the  force  locked  up  in  the  vegetable  on 
which  it  feeds.  The  food  of  the  animal  undergoes  combustion  or 
oxydization  in  the  bod)',  and  the  heat  thereby  evolved  is  converted 
into  mechanical  energy,  so  that  the  same  laws  which  regulate  the 
labor  of  animals,  regulate  the  work  done  by  the  steam  engine  sup- 
plied with  fuel.  The  animal  draws  its  stores  of  energy  from  the 
plant,  and  where  does  the  plant  obtain  the  supply  necessary  for  its 
growth?"  "  The  source  of  power  in  the  plant  is  found  in  the  sun's 
rays.  It  is  the  sun's  rays  that  enables  the  plant  to  grow;  for  the 
growth  of  the  plant  consists,  chemically,  of  a  decomposition  or 
splitting  up  of  the  carbonic  acid  gas  which  exists  in  the  air,  into  its 
simplest  constituents,  the  carbon  assimilated  for  the  building  up  of 
the  vegetable  tissues  and  the  oxygen  sent  back  into  the  air  for  the 


94  HISTORY  OF  MASON*   COUNTY. 

subsequent  use  of  animals.  To  effect  this  separation  of  carbon  and 
oxygen,  a  very  large  expenditure  of  force  is  necessary,  and  this 
energy  is  supplied  by  the  sunlight." 

How  beautifully  harmonious  the  discoveries  of  modern  science 
with  the  profound  depths  of  revealed  truth,  and  how  obtuse  is 
man's  apprehension  of  these  truths,  till  forced  upon  a  slow-to-be- 
convinced  judgment  by  the  practical  deductions  of  science.  "And 
God  said,  let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light;  and  God  saw  the 
light  that  it  was  good,  and  God  called  the  light  day,  and  the  dark- 
ness (or  absence  of  light)  He  called  night."  "And  God  said,  let 
the  earth  bring  forth  grass,  the  herb  yielding  seed  and  the  fruit 
tree  yielding  fruit  of  its  kind,  whose  seed  is  in  itself."  "And  God 
made  two  great  lights,  the  greater  light  to  rule  the  day  and  the 
lesser  light  to  rule  the  night."  "But  there  went  up  a  mist  from 
the  earth,  and  watered  the  whole  face  of  the  ground."  The  at- 
mosphere surrounding  the  globe  had  been  called  into  existence — its 
constituent  elements  as  they  now  exist.  Light  was  created  to 
generate  heat  that  vegetation  might  clothe  the-earth. 

After  vegetation,  and  next  in  order,  there  "went  up  a  mist  from 
the  earth,  and  watered  the  whole  face  of  the  ground."  The  laws 
of  nature,  as  constituted,  made  any  other  order  of  creation  impos- 
sible. Light  must  combine  with  the  elements  of  the  atmosphere 
before  the  vegetable  creation  could  exist.  The  vegetable,  in  con- 
nection with  air,  light  and  heat  (heat  being  a  result  of  air  and 
light),  must  exist  before  vegetable  growth  could  occur  or  animals 
inhabit  the  earth;  and  the  consequent  rainfall  recorded  in  our  last 
quotation  is  the  inevitable  result  of  the  action  of  heat  on  the 
aqueous  element.  There  seems  to  exist  more  largely  those  ele- 
ments of  the  atmosphere  that  combined  with  light  to  form  heat  in 
the  lower  stratas — more  in  the  deep  valleys  than  on  higher  table- 
lands, or  on  the  hills,  and  not  existing  at  all  above  the  snow  line; 
hence,  snow  does  not  melt  in  the  full  sunlight  of  meridian  day 
even  under  a  tropical  sun.  On  the  Andes  the  snow  line  varies 
from  14,000  to  17,000  feet.  On  the  mountains  of  Colorado,  snow 
begins  at  12,000  and  increases  in  quantity  to  the  extreme  height  of 
the  tallest  peaks,  or  14,250  feet,  though  in  August  the  extreme  heat 
of  the  deep  valleys  rises  up,  when  the  light  of  the  sun  is  with- 
drawn, and  the  snow  is  melted  to  nearly  or  quite  the  extreme 
height. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


95 


In  the  ocean,  water  and  salt  are  mixed  together  most  intimately, 
yet  the  heat  raises  the  water  through  the  atmosphere  and  leaves 
the  salt.  Every  increase  of  twenty-seven  degrees  of  temperature 
doubles  the  capacity  of  the  atmosphere  for  holding  moisture;  con- 
sequently, the  large  amount  of  rain  at  the  points  of  greatest  heat 
and  evaporation,  and  the  distribution  and  precipitation  of  rain  from 
greatly  heated  localities  to  colder  ones  by  the  action  of  the  winds, 
and  by  other  causes,  and  precipitated  by  counter-currents  of  cold 
air. 

INFLUENCE  OF  VEGETATION. 

By  respiration,  putrefaction,  etc.,  air  is  rendered  unfit  to  support 
animal  life,  and,  in  extreme  cases,  will  not  support  it.  By  the  con- 
stant operation  of  the  corrupting  influences,  the  whole  atmosphere 
would  become  impure,  were  there  no  restoring  causes,  and  would 
come  at  length  to  be  deprived  of  the  necessary  degree  of  purity. 
Some  of  the  restoring  causes  have  been  discovered,  and  their 
efficacy  ascertained  by  experiment.  So  far  as  these  discoveries 
have  proceeded,  they  open  up  to  us  a  beautiful  and  wonderful  econ- 
omy. Vegetation  proves  to  be  the  most  efficient  of  these  restoring 
influences.  A  branch  of  mint  corked  up  in  a  small  portion  of  foul 
air,  and  placed  in  the  light,  renders  it  soon  capable  of  supporting 
life  or  flame. 

Here,  therefore,  is  a  constant  circulation  of  benefits  between  the 
two  great  provinces  of  organized  nature.  The  plant  purifies  what 
the  animal  poisoned,  and  in  return  the  poisoned  or  contaminated  air  is 
more  than  ordinarily  nutritious  to  the  plant;  but  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  the  renovating,  purifying  influence  exerted  by  growing 
vegetation  on  the  atmosphere,  can  only  be  done  under  the  in- 
fluence of  light,  and  ceases  altogether  in  the  night,  or  if  the  light 
of  the  sun  be  withdrawn.  This  is  a  general  characteristic  of  all 
plants;  for,  with  all  their  manifold  diversities  of  form  and  appear- 
ance, they  are  all  constructed  on  the  same  general  plan,  "  and  are 
living  witnesses  and  illustrations  of  one  and  the  same  plan  of  crea- 
tive wisdom  in  the  vegetable  world."  Plants  work  only  under  the 
influence  of  light.  "There  is  conversion  by  the  vegetable  of 
foreign  dead  mineral  matter  into  its  own  living  substance,  or  inor- 
ganic matter,  capable  of  becoming  living  substance."  To  do  this 
is  the  peculiar  office  of  the  plant,  "and  it  is  done  by  the  plant  by 
the  action  of  its  green  parts  only,  and  by  them  only  under  the  in- 


96  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

fiuencc  of  light   of    the    sun.      The   sun   in   some    way   supplies    a 

power  which  enables  the  living  plant  to  originate  these  peculiar 
chemical  combinations  to  organize  matter  into  forms  which  alone 
are  capable  of  being  endued  with  life."  The  process  is  all  the 
same,  whether  the  plant  is  making  a  direct  immediate  growth  or 
laying  up  material  for  future  use.  The  principal  ingredient  laid 
up  by  plants  is  starch,  in  the  form  of  minute  grains  in  the  cells  of 
the  plant.  Some  plants  make  these  accumulations  in  the  ro  as 
the  parsnip  and  the  carrot;  some  in  shoots  or  underground  growths, 
for  instance,  the  potato,  while  the  onion  and  lily  deposit  in  the 
embryo  leaves,  and  the  cactus  family  generally  in  their  fleshy 
leaves  and  stems  with  green  coverings,  and  only  under  the  influence 
of  light. 


ORIGIN  OF  HEAT., 


Heat  is  generated  in  various  ways,  by  friction,  combustion,  oxvdi- 
zation,  concussion,  etc.;  but  a  combination  of  light  with  one  or 
more  of  the  constituents  of  the  atmosphere  is  the  grand  source  from 
which  this  indispensable  combination  is  derived.  An  able  scientist 
in  Europe  says,  "If  our  entire  system  were  pure  coal,  the  combus- 
tion of  the  whole  of  it  would  furnish  but  one  three  thousand  five 
hundredth  part  of  the  amount  needed,''  consequently  we  see  the 
utter  impossibility  of  receiving  the  amount  of  heat  necessary  from 
the  sun,  as  well  as  the  impossibility  of  the  sun  furnishing  us  the 
adequate  supply.  As  stated  in  another  part  of  this  essay,  the  snow 
on  high  mountains,  even  in  the  tropics,  docs  not  melt  above  a  cer- 
tain line.  The  deep  valleys  become  extremely  hot,  though  receiv- 
ing less  sunshine  than  the  more  elevated  positions. 

The  valleys  in  Thibet,  in  Asia,  endure  a  temperature  of  1  ^o  du-j;. 
E.  in  the  shade  during  the  day,  and  as  the  sunlight  is  withdrawn 
the  warm  air  rises  up,  and  the  cold,  dense  atmosphere  from  the 
mountains  covered  with  snow,  settles  in  its  stead,  the  inhabitants, 
who  were  during  the  day  almost  in  the  condition  of  the  Hebrew 
children,   now   find   it  necessary  to   retire   to  rest    under  thick  cov- 


erings. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  97 

Another  proof  that  heat  does  not  emanate  from  the  sun  is  found 
in  the  experience  of  every  green-house  man  and  florist.  The  tem- 
perature is  raised  to  a  high  degree  under  his  glass,  and  there  it 
seems  to  be  imprisoned,  being  unable  to  return,  although  it  appa- 
rently came  in  through  that  dense  medium  unobstructed.  The 
facts  of  the  case  divest  the  subject  of  all  mystery.  These  are,  that 
the  sunlight  penetrates  the  glass,  and  the  heat  is  formed  beneath  by 
a  union  of  the  light  with  some  element  or  elements  of  the  air,  and 
instead  of  being  a  prisoner  in  confinement,  it  is  simply  an  occupant 
of  the  place  where  it  first  had  an  existence  in  its  present  form. 
The  eye  in  its  complex  and  multifarious  forms  can  only  be  the  re- 
cipient of  light,  and  cannot  endure  heat,  hence  it  receives  light 
only.  The  lenses  of  the  telescope  and  the  human  eye  bear  a  com- 
plete resemblance  to  each  other  in  their  figure,  their  position,  and 
in  their  power  over  the  rays  of  light,  viz :  in  bringing  each  pencil 
of  light  to  a  point  at  the  right  distance  from  the  lens,  to-wit :  in  the 
eye  at  the  exact  place  where  the  membrane  is  spread  to  receive  it. 
Two  things  were  wanted  to  the  eye  that  were  not  to  the  telescope, 
at  least  to  the  same  degree,  and  these  were  the  adaptation  of  the 
organ  to  different  degrees  of  light,  and  to  the  vast  diversity  of  dis- 
tance at  which  objects  are  viewed  with  the  naked  eye,  as  from  a 
few  inches  to  many  miles.  These  difficulties  are  not  presented  to 
the  maker  of  the  telescope.  He  wants  all  the  light  obtainable,  and 
never  directs  his  instrument  to  objects  near  at  hand.  In  the  eye 
both  cases  are  provided  for,  and  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  it 
a  subtle  and  appropriate  mechanism  is  introduced  to  exclude  the 
excess  of  light  when  it  is  excessive;  and  to  render  objects  visible 
under  obscurer  degrees  of  it,  the  hole  or  aperture  of  the  eye  is  so 
formed  as  to  contract  or  dilate  for  the  purpose  of  admitting  a  great- 
er or  less  number  of  rays  at  the  same  time.  The  chamber  of  the 
eye  is  a  camera  obscura  which,  when  the  light  is  small,  can  enlarge 
its  opening,  and  when  too  strong  can  contract  it  without  any  other 
aid  than  its  own  machinery,  which  machinery  is  operated  by  the 
light  itself  and  self-regulating. 

Inasmuch  as  this  organ  has  to  operate  under  so  many  different 
circumstances,  with  strong  and  weak  degrees  of  light  upon  their 
objects  near  and  remote,  and  these  differences  demanded,  according  to 
the  laws  by  which  the  transmission  of  light  is  regulated,  a  corres- 
ponding diversity  of  structure  through  which  the  light  passes,  that 
they  be  larger   or  less,  the  lenses  rounder  or  flatter,  or  that  their 

—13 


9S  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

distances  from  the  tablet  on  which  the  picture  is  delineated  should 
be  shortened  or  lengthened.  This  being  the  case,  and  the  difficulty 
to  which  the  eye  was  adapted,  we  find  its  several  parts  capable  of 
the  most  sudden  changes,  and  mechanical  and  artificial  apparatus 
provided  to  produce  these  changes.  These  changes  are  made,  this 
complex  machinery  is  operated  on  by  the  action  of  light  itself, 
which  is  another  of  its  wonderful  properties  and  adaptations  of 
means  to  ends.  When  light  enters  the  eye  it  falls  on  a  dark  back- 
ground, and  hence  does  not  generate  heat,  as  though  reflected  from 
a  light  surface  in  the  air.  The  tropical  sun  shining  on  the  dark 
colored  races  of  the  tropics  is  another  illustration  of  the  same  thing. 
The  negro  will  endure  more  heat  than  the  light  colored  races, 
though  physically  less  robust  than  the  average  inhabitant  of  the 
temperate  zone.  The  eyes  of  birds  possess  the  powers  and  pro- 
perties described  in  the  human  eye  to  a  more  marked  degree,  as 
their  necessities  require  it  to  be  so. 

The  eyes  of  fishes  compared  with  terrestrial  animals  exhibit  dis- 
tinctions of  structure  adapted  to  their  state  and  element.  The  iris 
in  the  eyes  of  fishes  do  not  admit  of  contraction  or  expansion.  This 
is  a  great  difference,  and  the  reason  is  probably  that  the  diminished 
light  in  the  water  is  never  too  strong  for  the  retina.  Some  inter- 
esting differences,  also,  in  the  eyes  of  the  different  varieties  of  fishes 
might  be  interesting,  but  enough  has  been  said  to  illustrate  this 
part  of  the  subject. 

CONCLUSION. 

One  of  the  difficulties  with  which  the  popular  scientist  has  to 
contend  with,  is,  that  presenting  his  subject  in  such  a  form  as  to 
come  home  to  his  readers  in  its  true  relations,  not  liable  to  be  mis- 
understood, and  to  avoid  painting  one  side  of  the  picture  too  forci- 
blv,  and  not  losing  the  harmony  of  the  whole.  We  would  here 
remind  the  reader  that  much  as  science  can  do,  it  cannot  explain 
everything;  that  although  we  may  demonstrate  that  the  body  is 
built  up  by  the  solar  rays,  there  are  mysteries  connected  with  life, 
animal  and  vegetable,  towards  the  explanation  of  which  science 
offers  no  clue  whatever.  It  cannot  explain  the  nature  of  that 
silent  power  that  bids  the  mighty  oak  spring  from  an  acorn,  or 
builds  from  the  simplest  single  cell  the  multiform  differences  of 
animal  life.  Could  it  do  this  it  would  give  us  truer  views  of 
nature's  infinitude  and  man's  littleness,  expressed  by  Newton  when 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  99 

he  said :  "  To  myself  I  seem  to  be  as  a  child  playing  by  the  sea 
shore,  while  the  great  ocean  of  truth  lies  unexplored  before  me." 
On  the  agreement  of  science  and  revelation  the  asserted  divinity  of 
Christ  itself  is  on  trial.  If  the  religion  which  he  established  falls 
short  of  universal  acceptance ;  if  it  encounters  civilization  superior 
to  it;  if  pi-actical  demonstrations  of  scientific  facts  that  are  incon- 
trovertible, be  against  it,  then  the  prententions  of  its  author  are 
brought  to  naught. 

"  We  will  not  here  inquire  if  there  be  anything  inherent  in  the 
system,  or  in  its  past  history,  prophetic  of  universal  dominion,"  but 
so  digress  as  to  inquire  if  there  are  disagreements  between  science 
and  revelation.  The  system  of  truth  revealed  to  us  in  the  book  of 
nature  and  the  book  of  revelation,  both  emanating  from  the  same 
Great  Author,  cannot  conflict  and  both  be  true,  hence  disagree- 
ment is  rendered  an  impossibility.  Empires  like  China  and  Japan, 
embracing  more  than  one-third  of  the  population  of  the  globe,  re- 
sist alike  the  advancement  of  science  and  Christianity.  Idolatry 
and  stolid  ignorance  alike  resist  the  march  of  truth.  Millions  of 
men  are  idolators,  other  millions  followers  of  Mohammed,  and 
still  millions  more  the  worshippers  of  Bramah  and  Budah;  but  a 
single  christian  nation  outweighs  them  all.  "Let  there  be  light," 
was  spoken  by  the  Creator  before  the  dawn  of  creation's  morn, 
and  science  has  continued  to  re-echo  that  grand  acclaim  to  the 
teeming  millions  who  people  this  vast  globe.  The  lights  of  science 
are  burning  brightly  on  the  broad  domain  of  our  own  favored 
land,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  from  Alaska  to  Panama;  in 
the  isles' of  the  ocean,  and  in  the  darkest  regions  of  Paganism, 
doors  have  been  opened  to  our  science,  our  commerce  and  our  lan- 
guage. About  the  time  the  reformation  dawned  on  the  darkness 
of  Europe,  the  polarity  of  the  compass  was  discovered,  and  spread 
the  light  with  the  expanding  commerce  of  the  nations.  Then 
came  the  printing  press,  "every  pull  of  which  casts  rays  of  light 
athwart  the  gloom,"  and  the  world  is  learning  the  sciences  that 
speak  just  what  the  bible  speaks.  No  fact  recorded  by  the  sacred 
historians  has  been  so  favorite  a  subject  of  cavil  as  the  Mosaic  ac- 
count of  creation,  before  quoted.  The  objectors  fail  to  remember 
that  Moses  described  these  things  optically  and  not  physically.  Mod- 
ern science  proves  that  the  phenomena  of  the  heavenly  bodies  are  not 
at  all  contradictory  to  the  Mosaic  history.  Modern  opposers  of 
revelation  have  objected  that  Moses  talks  of  light  before  there  was 


IOO  HISTORY  OF   MASON    COUNTY. 

a  sun,  and  calls  the  moon  a  great  light,  when  every  one  knows  it 
to  be  an  opaque  body.  But  Moses  seems  to  have  known  what 
modern  science  did  not  until  very  lately  discover,  and  therefore 
does  not  call  either  sun  or  moon  a  great  light,  but  luminaries  or 
light-bearers.  Will  the  objectors  look  into  their  Greek,  Hebrew 
or  Latin  bibles,  and  their  faith  will  be  increased  in  reference  to 
Moses'  attainments  in  science.  Though  the  moon  is  not  a  light 
itself,  yet  is  that  planet  a  light  in  its  effects,  as  it  reflects  the  light 
ot  the  sun  to  us. 

But  the  sun  and  the  moon  are  with  propriety  called  great,  not  as 
being  absolutely  greater  than  all  other  stars  or  planets,  but  because 
they  appear  greater  to  us,  and  are  of  greater  consequence  and  use 
in  the  world.  And  now,  after  all  the  philosophy  and  improve- 
ments in  astronomy,  we  still  speak  of  the  light  of  the  moon,  and 
the  rising  and  setting  of  the  sun.  The  man  who  in  a  moral,  theo- 
logical or  historical  discourse  should  use  any  other  language,  would 
only  render  himself  ridiculous.  Hence  we  say  that  Moses'  descrip- 
tion of  creation  in  Genesis  is  not  in  conflict  with  science  in  its  best 
discoveries,  but  confirms  it;  that  he  speaks  optically  and  not  physi- 
cally; and  that  we  place  implicit  and  impartially  in  detail,  the  ut- 
most reliance  on  the  Mosaic  record  as  a  proof  of  our  position  on 
the  origin  of  light,  the  generation  of  heat,  cause  of  evaporation 
and  its  effect,  the  philosophy  of  vegetable  life  and  plant  growth, 
and  the  consequent  assimilation  of  force   in  the  animal  kingdom. 

Anciently  the  sciences  were  locked  up  in  the  hands  of  the  priest- 
hood, and  unknown  to   the  masses,  and   hence  not   reduced  to  the 
practical  wants  of  life. 

To  do  so  was  spoken  of  as  degrading  science.  Not  so  in  mod- 
ern times;  the  masses  are  educated,  and  in  advance  of  the  priest- 
hood in  all  the  literary,  scientific  and  mechanical  progress  of  the 
age.  And  I  believe  that  to-day  the  heaviest  drawbacks,  the  most 
ponderous  dead  weights  that  militate  against  the  progress  and  ad- 
vancement of  the  light  that  blazes  in  all  its  effulgence  with  more 
than  meridian  splendor  from  the  midday  sky  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  is  to  be  found  in  the  bigotry  and  lack  of  education  and  of 
general  intelligence  of  the  priesthood.  We  do  not  assert  this  in 
the  spirit  of  faultfinding  opposition,  but  with  regret  that  such  a 
state  of  affairs  should  exist  in  our  country;  and  the  world  hopes 
and  expects  their  speedy  removal,  by  a  wider  diffusion  of  the 
truths  of  science  and  the  bible. 


HISTORY!  OF  MASON  CITY. 


To  a  resident  of  the  slow  moving,  staid  and  close  calculating 
Eastern  States  it  is  not  easy  to  comprehend  the  springing  into  a 
healthful  existence  in  the  brief  space  of  a  few  years,  of  an  active, 
thriving,  energetic  business  town  of  over  two  thousand  inhabit- 
ants, with  its  tall  church  spires,  its  noble  school  building,  its  exten- 
sive and  substantial  business  blocks,  its  banks,  its  printing  offices, 
grain  elevators  and  commodious  warehouses,  its  long  lines  of  rail- 
roads, the  best  in  the  State,  in  fact,  all  the  elements  and  facilities  of 
a  first  class  business  town,  where  but  a  few  brief  years  ago 
the  writer  hereof  has  crossed  those  prairies  on  horseback,  and  fre- 
quently a  house  of  the  pioneer  was  not  in  sight,  and  when  nearing 
the  place  where  Mason  City  now  stands,  with  her  tall  spires  point- 
ing high  and  glistening  in  the  sunshine,  we  have  ridden  four  to  six 
miles  without  seeing  a  human  habitation.  Yet,  such  has  been  the 
history  of  this  pleasant  city.  Its  past  is  not  only  thus  pleasant  to 
retrospect,  but  it  needs  no  prophet's  ken,  to  truthfully  say  that  "it 
doth  not  yet  appear  what  it  shall  be,"  in  even  the  near  future. 

About  twenty-four  years  ago,  what  is  now  the  site  of  Mason 
City,  was  government  land,  and  was  entered  in  1849  by  James 
Maloney,  who  afterwards  conveyed  it  to  George  Straut.  Mr. 
Straut  conveyed  portions  of  the  tract  to  various  parties,  who 
subsequently  re-conveyed  to  him,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1857  rie 
employed  E.  Z.  Hunt  to  survey  the  original  plat  of  the 

TOWN    OF    MASON    CITY. 

This  plat  was  filed  in  the  Recorder's  office  by  Mr.  Straut,  Septem- 
ber 29,  1857.  It  includes  a  tract  three-fourths  of  a  mile  long  and 
one-half  a  mile  wide — 240  acres.  It  is  bounded  by  Walnut,  Jef- 
ferson, Division  and  Keefer  streets.  It  consists  of  37  full  blocks 
(each  320  feet   square),  and  22  fractional  blocks,  which  are  divided 


102  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

into  623  full  lots  and  7S  fractional  lots.  The  streets  are  80  feet 
wide,  except  Keefcr  street,  which  is  60  feet  wide.  Block  30  was 
reserved  for  public  buildings,  and  block  36  for  a  park. 

strain's  addition 

Was  surveyed  by  J.  C.  Warnock,  and  the  plat  was  filed  by 
Henry  T.  Strawn,  the  proprietor,  August  S,  1S66.  It  consists  of  6 
blocks  (each  320  feet  square),  of  14  lots  each — S4  lots  in  all. 

Elliott's  addition 

Was  surveyed  by  J.  C.  Warnock,  and  the  plat  was  filed  Sept. 
25,  1S66,  by  Collin  J.  Elliot,  the  proprietor.  It  is  divided  into  24 
lots,  the  average  size  of  each  being  about  equal  to  the  quarter  of 
an  ordinary  block. 

rosebrough's  addition 

Was  surveyed  by  Bentley  Buxton,  and  the  plat  was  filed  Oct.  18, 
1S67,  by  B.  A.  Rosebrough,  the  proprietor.  This  is  the  smallest 
of  all  the  additions.  It  contains  about  8  acres,  and  is  laid  out  after 
the  style  of  Elliott's  Addition.  It  contains  six  full  and  seven  frac- 
tional lots.  Morgan  and  Main  streets  run  south  through  this  addi- 
tion, and  Prairie  street  (50  feet  wide)  runs  east  and  west  through 
its  center. 

NORTHEAST    ADDITION 

Was  surveyed  by  Bentlev  Buxton,  in  Sept.,  1S67.  The  plat  was 
filed  February  29,  1S6S,  by  William  G.  Green,  Richard  Yates 
and  John  Mathers,  the  proprietors.  This  addition  embraces  80 
acres.  It  contains  twenty-eight  blocks,  which  are  divided  into  two 
hundred  and  eighty  lots. 

WEST    ADDITION. 

Was  surveyed  by  J.  R.  Falkner.  The  plat  was  filed  September 
29,  186S,  by  George  Straut,  the  proprietor.  There  are  fifteen 
blocks,  and  two  hundred  and  six  lots.  This  completes  the  list  of 
additions. 

From  an  examination  of  the  figures  given  above,  I  find  that  the 
whole  number  of  lots  in  this  city,  as  shown  by  the  recorded 
plats,  is  1,30s.      The  sub-division  of  business  lots   would  of  course 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  IO3 

increase  this  number.  Within  our  corporate  limits  there  are  now 
about  480  acres  laid  out  in  lots,  very  few  of  which  remain  unim- 
proved. 

And  now,  having  disposed  of  these,  perhaps,  somewhat  uninter- 
esting details  concerning  the  several  recorded  plats,  I  desire  to  turn 
the  attention  of  the  reader  back  to  the  condition  of  this  locality 
eighteen  or  twenty  years  ago.  In  an  interesting  editorial,  entitled 
"Mason  City  Then  and  Now,"  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Warnock, 
which  appeared  in  the  Independent,  December  22,  187 1,  I  find  the 
following : 

"Fifteen  years  ago  the  present  site  of  Mason  City  was,  in 
autumn,  a  waving,  and,  apparently  boundless,  sea  of  blue  stem 
prairie  grass,  so  high  that,  in  many  places,  a  man  on  horseback 
could  not  be  seen  one  hundred  yards  distant.  Wolves  had  their 
dens  in  the  ridge  where  High  street  now  runs,  and  night  was  made 
hideous  by  their  howls.  Deer,  in  great  herds,  might  be  started  up 
at  any  time,  but  their  course  could  only  be  known  by  the  parting 
of  the  tall  grass.  Every  fall  the  whole  face  of  the  country  was 
swept  over  by  fire,  the  flames  of  which  would  reach  high  up 
towards  the  heavens,  then  swoop  down,  reaching  a  hundred  feet 
ahead,  and  taking  into  their  grasp  the  tinder-like  material.  None 
but  those  who  have  seen  our  prairie  fires  of  fifteen  or  twenty  years 
ago  can  comprehend  their  magnificent  grandeur. 

"About  a  year  before  Mason  City  was  laid  out,  a  man  with  a 
team  was  so  nearly  overtaken  by  a  prairie  fire,  a  couple  of  miles 
west  of  this  place,  that  he  was  compelled  to  cut  his  team  loose 
from  the  wagon,  jump  upon  one  of  the  horses,  and  'lay  whip'  for 
his  life.  He  succeeded  in  finding  the  irons  of  his  wagon  after- 
wards. But  such  scenes,  in  this  country,  are  now  numbered  among 
the  things  that  were.  The  tall  prairie  grass  has  been  made  to  give 
way  to  wheat,  corn  and  oats.  The  once  broad  expanse  of  open 
prairie  is  now  divided  into  fields  in  cultivation.  Land  that  was 
then  for  sale  at  $1.25  per  acre,  is  now  worth  from  $50  to  $100. 
In  the  summer  of  1856,  in  July,  the  engineers  of  the  Tonica  and 
Petersburg  Railroad  ran  a  random  line  about  a  mile  west  of  this 
place,  crossing  Salt  creek  near  the  then  little  and  now  defunct  vil- 
lane  of  Hiawatha,  vulgarly  called  Slabtown.  A  short  time  after, 
another  line  was  run  further  east,  which  forever  blasted  the  hopes 
of  Hiawatha  as  a  railroad  town. 


IO4  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

"On  this  second  line  a  town  was  laid  out  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
west  of  this  place,  by  Wm.  Young-,  on  a  forty  acre  tract,  which  he 
bought  of  John  Y.  Lane,  for  that  purpose." 

But  Mr.  Young's  hopes  were  blasted,  too,  for  a  third  line  was 
afterwards  run,  which  is  the  present  line  of  what  is  commonly 
known  as  the  Jacksonville  Branch  of  the  Chicago  and  Alton 
Railroad. 

I  remember  that  this  road  was  completed  to  the  south  line  of  our 
corporation  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  1867,  and  on  that  da)'  the  first 
train  made  its  appearance,  bearing  about  two  hundred  excursionists 
from  Petersburg  and  other  points  along  the  route.  That  was  a 
happy  day  in  this  community.  The  locomotive  was  the  most  wel- 
come new-comer  we  had  ever  seen.  Scores  of  staring,  wondering 
children  gathered  about  the  strange  visitor.  Our  women  were 
never  more  amiable  and  pleasing.  Our  business  men  smiled  con- 
tentedly, held  their  heads  higher,  and  walked  with  a  firmer  step; 
and  that  evening,  when  they  retired  to  their  homes,  many  of  them 
who  had  never  been  known  to  possess  any  musical  talent,  astonished 
their  families  greatly  by  singing  with  exceeding  gusto,  "Ain't  we 
glad  to  get  out  of  the  wilderness,"  or  "We'll  have  no  trouble  any 
more!"  That  day  was  the  beginning  of  the  season  of  our  city's 
greatest  prosperity. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  '57  David  Dare  put  up  a  blacksmith  shop  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Menard  streets.  This  was 
the  first  building  erected  in  the  original  plat.  It  was  torn  down 
several  years  ago.  The  next  building  erected  still  stands  upon  its 
original  site  on  the  third  lot  north  of  Chestnut  street,  on  the  west 
side  of  Main  street,  and  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  E.  Bell.  Mr.  Straut 
gave  this  lot  to  William  Hibberd,  upon  condition  that  the  latter 
woidd  erect  a  hotel  thereon.  Mr.  Hibberd  employed  Henry  How- 
ell, a  builder,  and  a  few  Petersburg  mechanics,  and  on  the  first  day 
of  December,  1S57,  the  erection  of  the  "Hibberd  House "  was 
commenced,  and  on  the  twenty-first  day  of  the  same  month  Mr. 
H.  and  his  family  moved  into  it,  although  it  was  unpainted  and  un- 
plastered  till  about  the  first  of  the  succeeding  month.  The  fram- 
ing timbers  were  hewn  out  in  one  of  the  nearest  groves,  and  the 
lumber  was  hauled  from  Pekin.  In  the  same  month  of  December 
Henry  Keefer  put  up  a  twro-story  frame  building  on  the  west  side 
of  Tonica  street,  where  it  still  remains,  just  north  of  the  lumber 
yard  office  of  J.   A.  Clcgg  &  Co.     Soon   after  Mr.   Hibberd  com- 


IirSTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I05 

menced  building  his  hotel  he  caused  a  notice  to  be  circulated,  after 
the  fashion  of  those  days,  that  a  "  Grand  Dedication  Ball,"  as  he 
called  it,  would  be  given  at  Mason  City  on  Christinas  night.  Christ- 
mas came,  and  so  did  the  ball.  Mr.  Hibberd  says  that  fully  three  hun- 
dred guests  were  assembled.  There  were  saints  and  sinners,  old 
men  and  matrons,  young  men  and  maidens.  They  came  from 
Peoria,  Pekin,  Havana,  Delavan,  Lincoln,  Petersburg,  and  "  all  the 
regfion  round  about."  The  ball  was  held  in  both  stories  of  the 
Keefer  building,  which  had  not  yet  been  plastered.  There  was  a 
"  string  band "  in  each  room.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  en- 
gaged in  the  dance,  and  about  an  equal  number  were  mere  specta- 
tors. The  dancing  commenced  about  seven  o'clock,  p.  m.,  and  was 
continued,  with  but  brief  intermission,  till  daylight.  No  one  re- 
tired at  the  Hibberd  House  that  night.  All  night  long  the  cooks 
and  waiters  were  busy  catering  to  the  appetites  of  those  who  had 
come  to  the  ball.  For  once,  at  least,  "consumption"  assumed  an 
epidemic  form.  Says  Mr.  H.:  "I  had  laid  in  a  large  supply  of 
'provender,'  but  those  people  ate  me  out  so  completely  that  I  had 
to  go  to  Delavan — the  nearest  town — the  next  day  (Saturday)  and 
buy  provisions  for  Sunday." 

In  January,  1858,  A.  A.  Cargill  and  W.  L.  Woodward  opened 
a  store  of  general  merchandise,  in  the  lower  story  of  the  Keefer 
building,  and  soon  afterwards  the  first  public  school  was  commenced, 
in  the  second  story  of  the  same  building,  with  Miss  Rhoda  Allen, 
(now  Mrs.  Loring  Hastings)  for  teacher.  In  this  school-room  the 
first  religious  meetings  were  held. 

Rev.  Mr.  Holdsclaw,  a  Baptist,  who  resided  down  on  Crane 
Creek,  was  the  first  regularly  employed  minister.  This  room  was 
used  by  all  denominations,  however,  until  the  erection  of  a  large 
two-story  frame  building  by  Joseph  Elliott,  in  the  fall  and  winter 
of  '58,  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Tonica  and  Chestnut  streets. 
Early  in  the  spring  of  '59  the  Presbyterians  organized  a  church  in 
the  second  story  of  Elliott's  building,  and  employed  Rev.  John 
Andrews  for  pastor.  The  public  school  had  been  removed  to  this 
room,  however,  before  the  organization  of  this  church.  Cortes 
Hume  purchased  the  Elliott  building  before  it  was  completed. 
After  its  completion  he  opened  a  store  in  the  lower  story.  This 
building  now  stands  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Tonica  and  Elm 
streets,  having  been  removed  from  its  old  site  by  the  present  owner, 

—14 


106  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

Gr.  M.  LaForge,  in  order  to  make  room  for  his  commodious  Opera 
House  and  mercantile  rooms. 

The  third  store  was  opened  by  A.  &  S.  D.  Swing,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  winter  of  '5S  and  '59,  in  a  large  frame  buildings  which 
still  stands  upon  its  former  site,  a  short  distance  east  of  the  C.  &  A. 
R.  R.,  between  Elm  and  Arch  streets.  R.  A.  Hurt  came  next  in 
the  mercantile  line,  then  Hurt  &  Porter.  But  I  have  neither  time 
nor  space  to  make  special  mention  of  other  merchants. 

In  those  early  days  merchants  necessarily  had  to  deal  in  a  little 
of  everything.  The  stock  in  trade  of  nearly  every  house  consisted 
of  dry  goods,  groceries,  hardware,  farm  machinerv,  boots  and 
shoes,  hats  and  caps,  paints  and  oils,  clothing,  millinery  (?),  patent 
medicines,  etc.,  etc.,  and  in  exchange  for  merchandise  they  received 
money,  live  stock,  cord  wood,  furs,  hides,  poultry,  butter,  eggs, 
fruit,  grain,  and  all  manner  of  produce. 

A.  A.  Cargill  was  the  first  postmaster.  He  was  commissioned 
in  the  spring  of  '58,  and  remained  in  office  about  eighteen  months. 
For  two  or  three  years  great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  getting 
the  mail.  For  about  a  year  the  mail  for  this  point  was  sent  to 
Petersburg,  and  the  people  in  this  vicinity  employed  Edgar  Hunt, 
by  private  subscription,  to  carry  mail  to  and  from  Petersburg,  once 
a  week,  but  in  times  of  freshets  the  people  had  to  wait  from  two 
to  four  weeks  for  mail  matter.  In  order  to  avoid  high  water,  ar- 
rangements were  afterwards  made  for  getting  the  mail  at  Delavan 
instead  of  Petersburg.  Israel  Hibberd  was  appointed  postmaster 
in  the  fall  of  '59,  and  held  his  office  till  June,  '61,  when  A.  A.  Car- 
gill  was  again  appointed,  and  he  retained  the  office  till  August, 
1S66,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  E.J.  Mell.  Mr.  Mell  was  suc- 
ceeded by  J.  H.  Cleveland,  Mr.  Cleveland  by  Sallie  C.  Sullivan, 
Miss  Sullivan  by  Louise  Hoyt,  the  present  postmistress. 

Mr.  Cargill  tells  me  that  during  his  first  administration  a  com- 
mon cigar  box  was  amply  sufficient  to  hold  a  week's  mail.  About 
ten  years  ago,  I  think,  the  government  established  mail  routes 
through  here  from  Delavan  to  Petersburg,  and  from  Lincoln  to 
Havana.  This  change  in  the  manner  of  receiving  and  forwarding 
the  mail  was,  of  course,  highly  appreciated. 

During  the  first  two  or  three  years  of  its  existence,  Mason  City- 
grew  rapidly,  but  during  the  succeeding  five  years  very  few  new 
buildings  were  erected.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  the  work 
of  improvement  was   resumed,  but   not   until  '67  did  the  period  of 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  IO7 

Mason  City's  greatest  prosperity  begin,  and  that  period  still  con- 
tinues. 

Near  the  close  of  the  session  of  the  Legislature,  held  in  the 
winter  of  1S6S-69,  an  act  was  passed  incorporating  Mason  City 
under  a  special  city  charter.  It  is  certain  that  the  passage  of  that 
act  was  not  secured  in  a  very  honorable  manner.  A  large  majority 
of  our  citizens  preferred  to  retain  the  old  town  organization,  and 
were  unaware  of  the  fact  that  a  charter  had  been  applied  for  un- 
til after  the  announcement  of  its  passage.  But  it  soon  became  ap- 
parent that  acquiescence  in  the  new  order  of  things  was  unavoida- 
ble. This  charter  divided  the  city  into  four  wards,  as  follows: 
First  ward  lay  west  of  Main  street  and  north  of  Chestnut;  the 
second,  west  of  Main  street  and  south  of  Chestnut;  the  third,  east 
of  Main  street  and  south  of  Chestnut;  and  the  fourth,  east  of  Main 
street  and  north  of  Chestnut. 

The  first  charter  election  was  held,  I  think,  on  the  first  Tuesday 
in  April,  1869.  That  election  and  the  preceding  campaign  were 
very  exciting,  and  hotly  contested. 

The  license  question  was  the  issue  in  the  selection  of  the  Mayor 
and  Aldermen — politics  being  ignored.  Inasmuch  as  a  full  vote 
was  polled  at  that  election,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  insert  the 
result  of  the 

ELECTION    IN    1869. 

Mayor. 

Votes.  Majorities. 

T.  J.  Watkins,  anti-license. . 165 61 

George  Young,  license 104 

ALDERMEN. 

Votes.                  Majorities. 
1st  Ward — I.  N.  Ellsberry,  anti-license 40 30 

"  H.  T.  Strawn,  license 10 

2d  Ward — Jesse  Montgomery,  anti-license. 48 29 

"  Wm.  Pollock,  license 19. 

3d  Ward — S.  D.  Swing,  anti-license 60 No  opposition 

4th  Ward — J.  A.  W.  Davis,  anti-license. .  .59 36 

"  D.  M.  Childs,  license 23 

Thomas  Lamoreux  was  elected  City  Judge,  S.  N.  Hornbuckle, 
Marshal,  and  Wm.  Warnock,  Jr.,  Collector.     The  council   elect 


ioS 


HISTORY   OF   MASON    COL'XTY. 


appointed  G.  W.  Ellsberry  City  Clerk,  S.  N.  Hornbuckle,  Asses- 
sor, and  J.  A.  Walker,  Treasurer. 

ELECTION   APRIL  4,    1S7O, 

resulted  as  follows:  H.  T.  Strawn,  Mayor;  Wellington  House- 
worth,  Marshal;  D.  M.  Childs,  Collector.  The  Alderman  from 
the  first  ward  was  D.  E.  LeSourd;  from  the  second,  J.  A.  Phelps; 
from  the  third,  John  Prichet;  from  the  fourth,  George  Young. 
R.  C.  Dement  was  appointed  City  Clerk,  and  R.  W.  Porter  was 
appointed  Treasurer. 

In  consequence  of  the  resignations  of  Judge  Lamoreux  and 
Marshal  Houseworth,  a  special  election  was  held  in  December, 
1870,  which  resulted  in  the  choice  of  J.  S.  Shuck,  for  City  Judge, 
and  George  Tippey,  for  Marshal. 

ELECTION  APRIL  5,   1S7I. 

Luther  Naylor  was  elected  Mayor;  M.  C.  Vanloon,  Marshal; 
and  F.  N.  Smith,  Collector.  The  Alderman  from  the  first  ward 
was  H.  M.  Anderson;  from  the  second,  Geo.  A.  Withers;  from  the 
third,  N.  Travis;  from  the  fourth,  J.  S.  Gates.  J.  F.  Culp  was 
appointed  City  Clerk,  and  John  Lazelle,  Treasurer. 

In  consequence  of  the  resignation  of  Judge  Shuck,  and  the  fail- 
ure of  F.  N.  Smith  to  qualify,  a  special  election  was  held  August 
1,  1S71,  resulting  in  the  election  of  J.  H.  Wandle  for  City  Judge, 
and  Jeremiah  Riggins,  for  Collector. 

ELECTION  APRIL   I,   1872. 

Luther  Naylor  was  elected  Mayor;  A.  S.  Jackson,  Marshal; 
S.  S.  Martin,  Collector;  Joseph  Statler,  City  Judge.  H.  M.  An- 
derson was  elected  Alderman  from  the  first  ward;  Andrew  Mc- 
Elheney,  from  the  second;  X.  Travis,  from  the  third;  J.  S.  Gates, 
from  the  fourth.  J.  F.  Culp  was  appointed  City  Clerk,  and  John 
Lazelle,  Treasurer. 

July  3,  1872,  a  petition,  signed  by  fifty  legal  voters  of  the  city, 
was  presented  to  the  City  Council,  asking  that  an  election  be  called 
to  vote  for  or  against  the  adoption  of  "An  act  to  provide  for  the 
incorporation  of  cities  and  villages."  Approved  April  10,  1872. 
In  force  July  1,  1872.  The  prayer  of  this  petition  was  granted. 
An  election  was  held  August  5,  1S72,  which  resulted  in  the  adop- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


IO9 


tion  of  the  new  incorporation   act  by  a  large  majority.     Minority 
representation  was  rejected. 

This  result  necessitated  a  change  in  the  boundaries  of  wards  pre- 
vious to  the  next  general  election.  The  census  was  taken  by  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  Council,  and  an  ordinance  was  duly 
passed,  dividing  the  city  into  three  wards,  as  follows :  First  ward 
lay  west  of  Mason  street  and  noi-th  of  Chestnut;  the  second,  west 
of  Mason  street  and  south  of  Chestnut;  and  the  third,  all  that  por- 
tion of  the  city  east  of  Mason  street. 

ELECTION,    APRIL     15,    1873. 

Mayor— T.  J.  Watkins. 

Aldermen  ist  Ward — A.  A.  Cargill  and  J.  S.  Gates. 

"  2d       «  W.  I.  Kincaid  and  J.  C.  Ellsberry. 

"  3d       "         W.  S.  Chenoweth  and  L.  D.  Case. 

City  Attorney — Wm.  P.  Freeman. 
City  Clerk— J.  C.  Warnock. 
City  Treasurer — John  Lazelle. 
Police  Magistrate — Jacob  Benscoter. 
City  Marshal — Dennis  Pride  (appointed). 

But  this  article  is  already  extended  to  twice  the  length  I  had  in- 
tended, and,  lest  I  weary  the  reader,  I  must  hasten  to  a  conclu- 
sion. 

To-day,  Mason  City  has  a  population  of  at  least  2,000.  During 
the  last  six  years  the  average  increase  in  population  has  been  about 
250  j?er  year.  Perhaps  a  larger  amount  of  business  is  transacted 
here  every  year  than  in  any  other  city  of  equal  size  in  the  State  of 
Illinois.  This  city  is  situated  in  eastern  Mason  county,  in  the  center 
of  a  well  settled  and  exceedingly  fertile  district  of  country,  and,  as 
long  as  agriculture  shall  continue  to  be  the  true  basis  of  wealth 
and  power,  just  so  long  will  the  prosperity  of  Mason  City  be  as- 
sured. But,  though  the  success  of  our  city  is  largely  dependent 
upon  the  support  of  agriculturists,  it  must  be  admitted  that  the 
growth  and  improvement,  both  of  the  city  and  the  country  sur- 
rounding it,  is,  to  a  considerable  extent,  due  to  railroads,  and  to  the 
pluck  and  enterprise  of  our  merchants,  grain  dealers  and  other 
business  men. 

The  Indianapolis,  Bloomington  &  Western  Ex.  R.  R.  was  com- 
pleted  through  this  place  to  Havana,  in  January,    1S73,     It  will 


I  IO  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


soon  be  finished  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and  will  then  be  one  of 
the  most  important  railroad  lines  in  the  West.  It  is  probable  that 
within  two  years  a  road,  to  be  known  as  "The  Grand  Junction 
Railway,"  will  be  built  from  Quincy  to  this  place,  making  connec- 
tion here  with  the  Chicago  &  Alton  R.  R. 

And  so,  from  all  points  of  view,  the  outlook  is  most  encourag- 
ing. "It  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be,"  fully,  but  enough 
can  be  seen  to  inspire  in  any  reasonable  observer  the  belief  that 
Mason  City  is  destined  to  move  onward  and  upward  to  a  much 
higher  rank  among  the  host  of  cities  stationed  in  the  great  Mississ- 
ippi Valley. 

For  the  above  sketch  of  Mason  City,  we  are  very  largely  in- 
debted to  G.  W.  Ellsberry,  Esq.,  Attornev-at-Law,  in  Mason 
City,  and  for  his  kindness  to  us  in  the  compilation  of  the  material; 
for  this,  we  only  wish  that  he  may  be  prospered  and  built  up  as 
has  been  the  city  of  his  adoption. 

One  of  the  elements  of  Mason  City's  prosperity  is  the  class  of 
mechanics  who  have,  fortunately  for  her  and  them,  made  their  homes 
within  her  limits. 

Among  them  we  are  pleased  to  note  Ambrose  and  Sons,  dealers 
in  tin,  stoves  and  hardware;  L.  Swing,  tin,  stoves  and  hardware; 
Fiddler  &  Pritchet,  saddles,  harness  and  trunks,  Havves  &  Co.,  saddles, 
harness  and  trunks ;  Cole,  boots  and  shoes ;  Gardner,  boots  and  shoes ; 
and  Finch,  boots  and  shoes;  Mundt  &  Oeltjen,  merchant  tailors; 
Cameron,  merchant  tailor;  Cooper,  merchant  tailor. 

Among  her  Physicians  we  find  Drs.  J.  P.  Walker,  J.  B.  Mc- 
Dowell, O.  P.  Crane,  J.  W.  Speez,  I.  N.  Ellsberry,  A.  M.  Bird, 
J.  M.  Taylor,  G.  B.  Black  and  J.  A.  Walker. 

Messrs.  Kincaid  &  Bradley,  druggists,  and  Fiddler  &  Pritchett, 
saddlers,  are  the  oldest  business  firms  in  the  city  without  change. 

In  dry  goods  and  general  merchandise,  we  find  Cargill  &  Swing, 
Wakeman,  Freeman  &  Co.,  Gulick,  Taylor  &  Co.,  Sharp  Bros. 
and  Mr.  During. 

In  drugs,  Kincaid  &  Bradley,  J.  H.  Hopkins,  W.  A.  Dunn, 
Sharp  Bros.  &  Co. 

Livery  stables,  W.  T.  Lynch  and  B.  D.  Riner  have  both  num- 
ber one  establishments. 

Restaurants,  Radebaugh  &  Manspeaker,  Jacob  Maurer,  W.  Le- 
Sourd,  and  Nelson  Wallace. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  Ill 


Jewelers,  J.  C.  Ellsberry,  J.  L.  Davison,  J.  A.  Smith,  and  H.  C. 
Parker. 

Blacksmiths,  W.  S.  Cheneworth,  manufacturer  of  wagons  on  an 
extensive  scale;  H.  B.  Cease,  also  a  large  manufacturer;  and  H. 
S.  Houseworth,  wagon  manufacturer.  Geo.  Yost,  Roberts  & 
Benway,  James  Stebbins  and  Chas.  Brooker,  are  among  the  sub- 
stantial mechanics  in  their  line. 

The  banks  of  the  city  are,  the  First  National  Bank  and  F.  N. 
Smith  &  Co.,  both  substantial  institutions. 

In  hotels,  the  St.  Nicholas,  by  H.  L.  Gray;  the  Sherman,  by  J. 
C.  Bell;  and  the  Mason  City  House,  by  Mr.  Johnson. 

Of  her  elevators  and  her  warehouses,  Mason  City  can  well  con- 
gratulate herself.  M.  R.  La  Forge  &  Co.,  R.  A.  Mulholland,  John 
Stewart,  and  John  Pritchet  are  the  owners.  They  have  an  aggre- 
gate capacity  of  over  one  million  bushels,  and  facilities  for  hand- 
ling second  to  none. 

Of  carpenters  and  cabinet  makers,  there  are  many,  but  we  failed 
to  obtain  a  full  list,  and  omit  all. 

Painters,  J.  F.  McDonald,  S.  P.  Woodward,  Geo.  Jackson, 
Amos  Cole,  T.  H.  Price  &  Bro.,  Mark  Banis,  J.  F.  Culp. 

An  extensive  carriage  manufactory  is  carried  on  successfully  by 
Samuel  Cobbs,  and  a  wagon  factory  by  W.  B.  Ward. 

CHURCH  SOCIETIES. 

Presbyterian — S.  J.  Bogle,  Pastor.  Services  every  Sabbath, 
at  ii  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  7:30,  P.  M.  Sabbath  School,  at  9:30,  A. 
M.     E.  M.  Sharp,  Superintendent. 

Baptist — C.  A.  Hobbs,  Pastor.  Service  every  Sabbath,  at  1 1 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  7:30,  P.  M.  Sabbath  School,  at  2:30,  P.  M. 
J.  J.  Hastings,  Superintendent. 

Methodist — J  as.  W.  Sinnock,  Pastor.  Service  every  Sabbath, 
at  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  7:30,  P.  M.  Sabbath  School,  at  2:30,  P. 
M.     Henry  Wakeman,  Superintendent. 

BENEVOLENT    SOCIETIES. 

Mason  City  Lodge,  No.  403,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. — Regular  com- 
munications on  the  second  and  fourth  Tuesday  evenings  of  every 
month.      S.  M.   Badger,  W.  M.     J.  F.  Culp,  Secretary. 


I  12  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

Mason  City  Lodge,  No.  337,  of  I.  O.  O.  F. — Regular  Meet- 
ing every  Thursday  evening  in  their  hall,  LaFurge  Block.  G.  W. 
Ellsberrv,  X.  G.     P.  Mundt,  Secretary. 

mason  city  directory. 

T.  J.  Watkins Mayor. 

J.  Benscoter Magistrate. 

I.  R.  Brown Attorney. 

John  Lazelle Treasurer. 

J.  C.  Warnock Clerk. 

John  Wilson Marshal. 

D.  E.  LeSourd Deputy  Marshall. 

J.  S.  Gates Alderman  1st  ward. 

A.  Green "  « 

John  Dietrich Alderman  2d  ward. 

M.  C.  Vanloon   "  " 

W.  S.  Chenoweth  . .    Alderman  3d  ward. 

S.  D.  Swing -;«  " 

One  characteristic  of  the  people  of  Mason  City,  and  that  to  which 
we  attribute  the  success  and  healthfulness  of  every  department  of 
her  trade  and  her  manufactures,  is  the  system  of  home  patronage 
she  has  always  pursued.  Her  own  mechanics  are  the  first  choice 
of  her  citizens  for  them  to  bestow  their  patronage  on.  Her  own 
merchants  are  the  persons  who  receive  the  patronage  of  her  man- 
ufacturers and  mechanics.  This  system  of  mutual  patronage  is 
one  of  the  most  commendable  as  well  as  the  most  profitable  that 
can  be  pursued.  It  increases  and  fosters  neighborly  feeling,  socia- 
bility, and  the  improvement  of  society,  and  is  alike  commendable 
and  desirable  to  the  head,  the  heart  and  the  jjockets  of  the  people 
who  practice  it.  It  is  not  a  principle  of  selfishness,  but  is  an  ap- 
plication of  that  christian  principle  which  is  older  than  Christianity; 
practiced,  recommended  and  enforced  in  the  days  of  Confucious, 
adopted  in  a  negative  form  by  later  rulers,  and  affirmatively  com- 
manded by  the  founder  of  the  Christian  system,  viz:  "Do  unto 
others  as  you  would  that  they  should  do  unto  you." 

POSTMASTERS  IN   MASON  CITY. 

The  first  Postmaster,  on  the  establishment  of  an  office  in  that 
city,  was   Mr.  A.  A.  Cargill.     Then   Israel  Hibberd,  E.  J.  Mell, 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I  1 3 

J.  H.  Cleveland,  Miss  Louisa  Hoyt,  and  J.  S.  Baner,  the  present 
gentlemanly  incumbent. 

Mr.  Cargill,  in  addition  to  being  the  first  Postmaster  of  the  city, 
served  a  second  term  in  that  office,  between  the  terms  of  Mr.  Hib- 
berd  and  Mr.  Mell. 

The  observance  of  the — 

CENTENNIAL    ANNIVERSARY 

Is  thus  set  forth  by  the  Journal,  published  at  Mason  City: 

The  celebration  of  the  Centennial  Fourth  of  July  in  Mason 
City  was  satisfactory,  in  its  general  particulars,  to  all  who  partici- 
pated. Great  preparations  had  been  made,  and  on  Monday  P.  M. 
the  prospects  were  fair  for  a  good  time,  and  an  occasion  of  pleasure 
without  any  alloy.  The  heavy  wind  and  rain  storm  of  Monday 
night  seriously  damaged  the  wigwam  and  flooded  the  ground,  so 
that  on  the  morning  of  the  Fourth  everything  looked  inauspicious, 
and  disappointment  sat  on  every  countenance.  By  nine  o'clock, 
however,  such  large  numbers  of  people  were  coming  into  town, 
that  it  was  evident  that  the  war  of  the  elements  had  not  in  the 
least  quenched  the  patriotism  of  the  people,  and  that  the  prospects 
for  a  glorious  Fourth  were  still  good.  A  large  force  of  men  were 
put  at  work  to  repair  the  wigwam,  and  it  was  determined  to  pro- 
ceed with  the  programme  as  arranged. 

Immediately  after  dinner  the  procession  was  formed  by  Capt. 
Weaver,  the  Marshal,  in  front  of  the  Journal  office.  The  Mason 
City  band  took  the  lead.  Following  next  came  the  chariots  of 
State,  the  first  one  representing  the  States  in  the  Union  in  1776; 
the  second  one  the  Union  as  it  is  now.  In  each  chariot  the  States 
were  represented  by  young  misses,  appropriately  dressed.  These 
chariots  were  followed  by  the  fire  company,  with  the  engine  orna- 
mented and  bedecked  with  flags.  Next  came  the  carriages  -with 
the  speakers,  the  clergy,  the  members  of  the  press,  and  a  lengthy 
procession  of  citizens.  After  marching  through  the  principal 
streets,  the  line  of  march  was  concluded  at  the  wigwam.  The 
ground  about  the  wigwam  was,  in  consequence  of  the  rain,  in  a 
very  damp  condition,  but  every  one  seemed  willing  to  make  the 
best  of  the  situation,  and  the  programme  was  gone  through  with 
with  great  interest  to  all.  After  music  by  the  band,  and  an  elo- 
quent prayer  by  Father  Randle,  and  a  patriotic  song  by  the  Glee 

— J5 


114  HISTORY  OP  MASON  COUNTY. 

Club,  Augustus  Green,  the  President  of  the  day,  delivered  a  most 
thrilling  and  eloquent  poem,  for  the  opening  address.  The  Declar- 
ation of  Independence  was  read  by  Capt.  W.  H.  Weaver,  and  was 
read  in  a  manner  that  elicited  the  warmest  applause.  Next  came 
the  oration  of  the  day,  by  Rev.  John  Crozier,  of  Menard  county. 
Mr.  Crozier's  oration  is  worthy  of  an  extended  notice,  which  we 
are  not  able  to  give  it  at  this  late  hour,  before  our  paper  goes  to 
press,  especially  as  we  are  too  much  demoralized  by  the  fatigue  and 
excitement  of  the  week  to  write  anything  connectedly.  Suffice  it 
to  say  that  the  oration  was  eloquent  and  eminently  appropriate, 
and  was  listened  to  with  great  interest  by  all.  The  oration  was 
followed  by  short  addresses  by  Geo.  W.  Ellsberry  and  Joseph 
Baner,  Esq.,  and  then  by  toasts  and  responses,  interspersed  with 
songs  by  the  Glee  Club  and  music  by  the  band.  Of  the  responses 
to  the  toasts,  the  original  poem  by  Mr.  Green,  to  the  sentiment 
"  Now  and  Then,"  received  very  many  encomiums,  and  while  all 
who  responded  did  themselves  great  credit,  this  poem  was  the  bo?i 
mot  of  the  occasion. 

At  night  the  vast  assemblage  gathered  about  the  wigwam  to 
witness  the  display  of  fire-works.  The  discharge  of  these  pyro- 
technics was  superintended  by  Frank  Culp,  and  as  a  matter  of 
course,  under  his  management,  was  a  perfect  success;  being,  prob- 
ably, the  finest  exhibition  of  the  kind  ever  given  in  Mason  county. 

Notwithstanding  the  war  of  the  elements,  the  celebration  was 
an  occasion  of  which  the  managers  may  be  well  proud.  It  is 
probable  that  at  least  four  thousand  people  crowded  our  streets, 
and  enjoyed  the  day  and  its  ceremonies. 

The  thanks  of  the  community  are  due  to  the  band  and  the  Glee 
Club  for  their  music  and  aid;  to  the  committee  who  labored  hard 
to  get  the  wigwam  erected;  and  while  we  never  like,  on  such  oc- 
casions, where  all  are  willing  to  do  what  they  can  to  aid  a  laudable 
enterprise,  to  bestow  especial  praise  on  any  single  individual,  we 
know  that  we  express  the  unqualified  thanks  of  all  who  participated 
in  the  jubilations  of  the  day,  to  Ben  Riner,  who,  though  least  con- 
spicuous in  the  ceremonies,  was  the  main  spoke  in  the  wheel;  in 
fact,  the  hub  of  the  whole  affair.  Almost  unaided,  he  solicited  and 
collected  the  funds,  amounting  to  nearly  $500,  and  paid  the  bills  as 
presented,  taking  upon  himself  a  large  responsiblity,  and  pushing 
the  matter  to  a  successful  issue.  We  only  hope  Ben  may  live  to 
raise  the  money  for  another  centennial  in  Mason  City. 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY.  II5 

The  following  is  from  the  Independent,  of  Mason  City,  on  the 
Centennial  Anniversary. 

HOW    MASON    CITY,   DISPOSED  OF    THE    CENTENNIAL    FOURTH. — A 

GALA  DAY. 

The  long-looked  for  and  long-talked  of  Centenary  Fourth  of 
July  came  last  Tuesday,  made  its  bright  page  in  history,  and  left 
its  glorious  memory  with  those  who  celebrated  it.  It  was  the 
grand  spectacle  of  a  powerful  and  patriotic  nation,  rising  simulta- 
neously throughout  its  broad  expanse  and  doing  honor  and  homage 
to  a  beloved  country  and  revered  ancestry,  and  it  now  remains  for 
the  innumerable  localities  to  record  what  they  did  and  how  they 
did  it.  It  is  our  province  to  help  make  up  the  record,  and  pre- 
serve from  oblivion,  the  manner  in  which  the  patriotic  people  of 
Mason  City  commemorated  the  Great  American  Day. 

The  storm  of  the  previous  night  disarranged  our  plans  some- 
what, but  while  we  reverently  acknowledged  our  dependence  up- 
on the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  we  were  not  disposed  to 
superstitiously  look  upon  this  as  an  interposition  of  His  providence 
to  prevent  our  celebration,  but  rather  to  give  thanks  that  the  day 
was  so  pleasant  after  all.  Our  artificial  shade  was  blown  down, 
and  the  ground  underneath  made  wet  and  muddy ;  but  with  this  ex- 
ception, which  caused  a  delay  of  the  exercises  until  afternoon, 
everything  passed  off  pleasantly. 

The  Centenary  Independence  morn  was  ushered  in  by  ringing 
of  bells  and  firing  of  anvils  (the  cannon  failed  to  come),  and  a  gen- 
eral jubilee  of  salutations.  Early  in  the  day  the  business  portion 
of  the  city,  and  a  large  number  of  dwellings,  were  beautifully 
decorated  with  flags  and  banners.  At  quite  an  early  hour  the 
streets  were  thronged  with  people,  and  as  the  clouds  broke  away, 
wagon  loads  almost  innumerable  came  pouring  in  from  all  the  sur- 
rounding country,  and  every  train  brought  still  others  from  distant 
places.  Everybody  seemed  happj'that  they  were  vouchsafed  the 
great  privilege  of  stepping  across  the  centenary  line  in  the  life  and 
progress  of  their  beloved  country. 

The  procession  was  formed  at  the  corner  of  Tonica  and  Chestnut 
streets.  The  order  of  the  procession  was  as  follows:  First,  Mason 
City  Cornet  Band;  second,  a  chariot  of  state,  containing  thirteen 
Misses,  representing  the  original  thirteen  States;  third,  a  chariot  of 
state  containing  thirty-eight  Misses,  representing  the  present  num- 


Il6  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

ber  of  States;  fourth,  the  fire  engine,  followed  by  the  fire  company 
in  uniform;  fifth,  carriages  containing  the  mayor,  president,  orator 
of  the  day,  editors  and  ministers;  buggies  and  wagons.  The  line 
of  march  was  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  city  to  the 
wigwam. 

The  exercises  at  the  wigwam  commenced  with  music  by  the 
Band  and  Glee  Club,  which  interspersed  the  exercises  throughout, 
which  were  in  the  following  order: 

First — Prayer  by  Rev.  G.  D.  Randle,  the  oldest  minister  in  the 
city. 

Second — Reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Indedendence,  that  im- 
mortal document,  which,  though  old,  is  ever  new,  and  which  for  a 
complete  century  has  stood  the  test  of  criticism,  and  stands  to-dav 
unchallenged  as  the  masterpiece  in  the  English  language,  as  it  was 
admitted  to  be  by  the  learned  and  eloquent  Wm.  Pitt  in  his  day. 
It  was  read  by  Capt.  W.  H.  Weaver,  and  in  a  manner  that  did 
justice  to  that  time-honored  instrument,  and  credit  to  himself. 

Third — Poetic  Address,  by  Augustus  Green,  President  of  the 
Day,  which  was  a  beautiful  and  expressive  production,  acknowledg- 
ing the  protective  beneficence  of  God  in  preserving  our  nation, 
and  paying  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  immortal  heroes  of  the  Revo- 
lution. 

Fourth — Oration  by  Rev.  John  Crozier,  in  which  we  think  he 
fully  sustained  what  we  promised  of  him,  as  an  orator,  scholar  and 
historian,  in  this  paper  last  week;  although  the  circumstances  of  the 
situation  were  against  him,  yet  by  his  elegant  and  eloquent  stvle 
and  expression  he  held  the  marked  attention  of  the  vast  and  un- 
comfortably situated  audience,  while  he  beautifully  traced  the  his- 
tory and  outbursts  of  the  spirit  of  liberty  down  through  the  des- 
potisms and  monarchies  of  the  world,  and  how  the  hand  of  God 
had  led  the  people  on  through  succeeding  ages  to  the  full  estab- 
lishment of  Liberty  and  Independence  in  the  great  nation  of  the 
United  States,  and  how  the  same  divine  hand  had  led  the  little 
but  heroic  band  of  patriots  through  the  terrible  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. 

After  the  oration,  short  addresses  were  delivered  by  J.  S.  Baner 
and  G.  W.  Ellsberry,  after  which  a  variety  of  toasts  were  read  and 
responded  to,  which  was  a  pleasant  feature  of  the  occasion,  and 
which  was  both  amusing  and  instructive.  This  concluded  the  ex- 
ercises at  the  wigwam,  and   the  audience  adjourned  up  town  for  a 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1 17 

social  time,  friends  and  acquaintances  grouping  together  in  squads 
as  circumstances  favored. 

At  night  was  a  grand  exhibition  of  fireworks,  which  was  wit- 
nessed by  an  immense  crowd  of  people.  But  unfortunately  for  a 
full  fruition  of  great  and  well  founded  expectations,  the  electic  fire- 
works of  the  clouds  began  to  illuminate  the  western  horizon  early 
in  the  evening,  and  warn  the  people  that  time  nor  thunder  storms 
waited  not  for  man  nor  for  any  public  gathering.  The  people 
stood  their  ground,  however,  in  the  face  of  the  ominous  thunder 
and  lightning  until  about  the  last  minute,  when  there  was  a  simul- 
taneous start  for  home. 

Taking  it  all  in  all,  it  was  an  occasion  of  which  eastern  Mason 
county  may  well  feel  proud,  in  that  despite  the  wind  and  weather 
they  did  their  duty  towards  commemorating  the  Great  Centennial 
Fourth,  and  if  any  failed  to  find  in  it  all  we  promised  in  a  rather 
extravagant  article  on  the  subject  last  week,  we  charge  it  more  to 
their  lack  of  appreciation,  hearing  and  eyesight,  than  to  an  over- 
wrought imagination  from  exaggeration  on  our  part;  and  if  we 
should  be  editing  the  Independent  when  the  next  centennial  comes 
round,  and  you,  kind  readers,  should  be  the  readers  of  it,  we  will 
make  all  right  then  whatever  may  have  been  amiss  this  time. 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


In  presenting  the  biographies  of  present  residents  and  the  former 
early  residents  of  Mason  county,  we  have  taken  representatives  of 
three  divisions  of  subjects,  viz :  Old  settlers  who  were  early  identified 
with  the  settlement  of  the  country  and  have  passed  away;  secondly, 
old  settlers  identified  with  the  interests  of  the  county  who  are  still  liv- 
ing; and  thirdly,  the  representatives  of  the  business  interests  of  the 
county  at  the  present  time.  In  these  I  have  taken  subjects  from  all 
lines  of  business  and  professions,  without  regard  to  wealth  or  official 
position,  but  to  present  briefly  all  the  different  divisions  above 
stated. 


LYMAN  LACY.  t 

Lyman  Lacy  was  born  in  Tompkins  county,  New  York,  May 
9,  1832.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Cloe  (Hurd)  Lacy,  who  re- 
moved to  Michigan  in  1836,  and  in  1837  settled  in  Fulton  county, 
Illinois.  His  preliminary  education  was  acquired  in  the  public 
schools  of  Illinois,  whence  he  was  transferred  to  Illinois  College, 
at  Jacksonville,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1S55.  In 
the  same  year  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Lewistown,  with 
Hon.  L.  W.  Ross,  and  in  1856  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 

He  located  in  Havana  in  October,  1856,  and  continued  the  prac- 
tice of  law  until  1862,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  House  of 
the  Legislature,  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  to  represent  the  counties 
of  Mason  and  Menard,  and  served  one  term.  In  June,  1S73,  he 
was  elected  Circuit  Judge  of  the  seventeenth  district,  comprising  the 
counties  of  Mason,  Menard,  Logan  and  DeWitt.  He  was  married 
May  9,  i860,  to  Miss  Caroline  A.  Potter,  of  Beardstown,  Illinois, 


HISTORY  OP  MASON  COUNTY.  1 1 9 


who  died  September  12,  1863,  and  he  married  again,  May  19,  1865, 
to  Mattie  A.  Warner,  of  Havana. 

The  official  positions  held  by  Judge  Lacy  have  been  filled  with 
ability ;  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constitu- 
ents.    His  standing  as  a  judge  is  deservedly  high. 


JAMES  W.  KELLY. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county 
twenty-two  years.  A  practical  farmer,  a  practical  business  man, 
and  soundness  and  substantiality  are  the  leading  characteristics  of 
his  organization.  He  was  born  in  the  State  of  Delaware,  January 
8,  1S19,  and  is  consequently  now  in  his  fifty-eighth  year,  though 
his  appearance  would  indicate  ten  years  less  to  the  casual  observer. 
His  avocation  is  that  of  a  farmer,  and  a  life-long  experience  has 
made  it,  with  him,  a  financial  success.  He  removed  with  his  pa- 
rents to  Ohio  in  1827,  and  settled  in  Miama  county.  During  his 
residence  there  he  married  to  Miss  C.  Benham,  in  1S43,  and  for 
thirty-three  years  have  they  traveled  the  journey  of  life  together, 
with  a  larger  amount  of  health  and  comfort  than  usually  falls  to 
the  lot  of  humanity. 

They  removed  to  Illinois  in  1854,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where 
they  now  reside.  An  interesting  family  has  sprung  up  about  them. 
Mr.  Kelly,  in  common  with  other  substantial  residents  of  our 
county,  has  served  a  full  share  in  those  humble  but  very  important 
and  useful  positions  of  school  and  township  trustee,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  our  county  Board  of  Supervisors  this  centennial  year;  a 
body  that  feels  his  influence,  and  is  benefited  by  and  indebted  to  his 
judgment  and  practical  business  ability. 


L.  M.  HILLYKR, 

Is  a  native  of  New  York,  and  removed  to  this  town  Sept.  15, 
1 85 1,  when  this  region  was  somewhat  primitive,  and  Ha- 
vana contained  less  than  three  hundred  inhabitants.  His  occupa- 
tion was  that  of  a  plasterer  and  bricklayer;  he  was  a  first-class 
workman,  and  a  man  of  unusual  energy  and  perseverance  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  avocation,  his  motto  being  to  do  with  his  might 


120  HISTORY  OF    MASON*  COUNTY. 

what  his  hands  found  to  do,  provided  always  that  it  was  done  well. 
For  about  ten  years  he  followed  that  avocation  with  more  satisfac- 
tion to  those  for  whom  he  labored  than  with  profit  to  himself. 
About  the  year  1857  or  1858  he  was  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
in  which  office  he  served  his  constituents  acceptably  for  a  period  of 
eight  years;  a  position  which  his  sound  judgment  and  impartiality 
abundantly  qualified  him  to  fill.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
board  of  town  trustees  for  eight  years,  a  place  filled  so  much  to  the 
satisfaction  of  his  constituents  that  they  continued  to  re-elect  him 
to  the  same  position.  So  satisfactory  was  his  services  in  these  hum- 
ble but  useful  positions,  that  the  people  of  the  county  said  very 
emphatically,  "come  up  higher."  This  they  compelled  him  to  do 
by  electing  him  sheriff  in  1864,  under  the  old  constitution,  when 
two  successive  terms  could  not  be  served  by  the  same  man.  He 
was  re-elected  however  in  1872,  and  again  in  1874,  making  four 
successive  years  of  service  in  that  important  office,  with  credit  to 
himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  friends  and  constituents,  and  is  the  in- 
cumbent at  the  present  time. 

A  personal  acquaintance  and  neighborship  with  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  for  over  twenty  years,  has,  perhaps,  disqualified  the  writer 
from  passing  an  impartial  estimate  and  unbiased  opinion  on  the 
man.  We  will  hazard  the  remark  however,  that  we  have  never 
known  him  to  decline  doing  a  favor  or  rendering  a  service  for  the 
accommodation  of  others.  This,  too,  has  been  done  as  freely  for  the 
poor  (and  more  so)  than  for  the  rich ;  and  when  there  was  no  possible 
remuneration  or  hope  of  reward. 

It  has  been  the  privilege  of  the  writer  to  know  of  efforts  by  him 
to  benefit  others  that  have  resulted  in  pecuniary  loss,  and  that  quite 
severe.  In  a  private  conversation  on  the  subject,  he  remarked  that 
"where  intentions  were  all  right,  there  were  no  one  to  blame." 
But  it  is  to  his  official  career  as  sheriff  that  we  love  to  refer. 

"He  knew  his  duty,  a  dead  sure  thing, 
And  went  for  it  there  and  then." 

While  kindness  to  all  is  a  predominant  law  and  element  of  his 
nature,  that  principle  of  firmness  so  essential  to  strict  official  duty 
was  its  balance.  Many  incidents  have  occurred  in  his  long  official 
career  that  nothing  but  his  indomitable  firmness  and  strict  adher- 
ence to  duty  have  made  the  sequel  to  his  honor  and  credit.  His 
official  term  expires  this  fall,  and  he  declines  a  re-election,  which 
has  been  suggested  by  his  friends.     Active   and  prompt  in  the  dis- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  121 


charge  of  his  official  duties,  satisfied  with  nothing  less  than  his 
whole  duty,  a  gentleman  in  his  intercourse  with  all  with  whom  he 
has  to  do,  doing  to  others  as  he  would  that  they  should  do  to  him ; 
it  is  not  strange  that  he  has  fast  friends,  and  many  of  them.  Enjoy- 
ing uniform  good  health,  he  bids  fair  for  many  more  years  to  enjoy 
the  good  things  of  this  world. 


JOHN  W.  PUGH. 

It  is  with  hesitancy  that  we  approach  the  work  of  sketching  the 
history  of  him  whose  name  is  at  the  head  of  this  article.  A  man 
who  delights  in  doing  good  to  others  in  a  quiet  and  unostentious 
way;  that  shrinks  from  publicity  and  notoriety;  of  deep  religious 
character;  that  prefers  that  his  right  hand  should  not  know  what 
his  left  doeth;  to  give  to  the  public  our  knowledge  of  his  life  is  a 
pleasant  and  delicate  task. 

Mr.  Pugh  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Luzerne  county, 
August  5,  1824.  He  removed  to  Mason  county,  Illinois,  in  1850; 
like  many  others,  attracted  by  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  healthful  cli- 
mate, though  at  that  time  not  possessing  the  advantage  of  churches, 
schools,  etc.,  afforded  at  the  present  day.  He  has  been  engaged  in 
farming,  practically  and  successfully. 

He  was  married  in  1S54  to  Miss  Sarah  Apple,  daughter  of  Major 
Apple,  of  Lewistown,  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  hence  for  twenty- 
two  years  they  have  together  traveled  life's  pathway,  on  the  bor- 
ders of  which  few  have  found  more  flowers  or  become  less  wearied. 
His  official  career  is  alike  creditable  to  his  head  and  heart.  Seldom 
has  the  time  arrived  since  his  residence  in  this  county  that  he  was 
not  trustee  of  town  or  school  or  both,  as  every  good  citizen  is  ex- 
pected to  give  his  time  freely  to  these  non-paying  but  useful  and 
indispensable  positions.  For  nine  years  he  has  been  a  member  of 
the  county  board  of  supervisors,  and  is  the  present  incumbenti 
and  one  whose  influence  and  judgment  has  much  to  do  in  the  legis- 
lation of  the  affairs  of  the  county. 

He  was  elected  to  the  legislature  and  served  the  last  session,  and 
his  term  includes  the  years  1S74  and   1876,     Here,  as  in  the  county 
board,  his  influence  was   felt,  and  his  votes  stand   recorded   credit- 
ably to  himself  and  constituents. 
— 16 


122  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

The  year  following  his  marriage,  (1S55)  he  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  remained  an  honored 
and  influential  member  till  1S73,  when  he  transferred  his  member- 
ship to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  his  immediate  neighborhood, 
and  for  more  convenient  attendance.  This  transfer  of  Mr.  Pugh 
of  his  church  relations  from  one  organization  to  another,  is  only  an 
illustration  of  a  very  pleasant  fact,  which  is  this:  That  as  educa- 
tion and  intelligence  increase,  the  partition  walls  between  church 
organizations  become  lower,  and  the  higher  a  man  stands  in  ed- 
ucation and  intelligence  the  sooner  he  is  able  to  look  over  these 
walls,  and  they  finally  lose  their  dividing  power,  and  the  upper 
strata  of  intelligence  and  piety  find  themselves  equally  at  home  on 
either  side  of  where  the  walls  once  stood,  as  they  become  invisible  . 
and  crumble  away.  It  is  not  true  that  "ignorance  is  the  mother  of 
devotion,"  but  it  is  true  that  ignorance  is  the  mother  of  bigotry  and 
superstition;  and  bigotry  and  superstition  are  the  foundations  on 
which  rest  the  partition  walls  of  religious  organizations,  which  are 
fast  disappearing.  It  is  the  pride  and  glory  of  this  century  that 
science  and  arts  are  moving  forward  to  the  annihilation  of  time  and 
space;  that  educated  intelligence  is  at  the  helm  of  civil  government 
(the  people) ;  that  the  revelation  of  God's  word  and  His  works  are 
in  happy  unison,  and  science  and  not  ignorance  is  the  handmaid  of 
religion. 

But  we  digress.  We  allude  briefly  to  the  usefulness  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  in  the  Sabbath-school  work  and  the  benevolent 
enterprises  of  his  neighborhood;  and  to  enlarge  on  this  topic  is  un- 
necessary; we  will  say,  however,  that  he  takes  a  great  interest  and 
pleasure  in  these  commendable  enterprises,  and  his  duty  is  his  great- 
est pleasure. 

"May  never  wicked  fortune  trouble  him; 
May  never  wicked  men  bamboozle  him, 
Until  his  head's  as  old  as  old  Mathusalem; 
Then  to  the  blessed  New  Jerusalem, 
With  fleet  wings  away." 


J.  P.  WALKER,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Walker  has  been  a  prominent  physician  in  Mason  county 
for  many  years,  noted  for  his  skill  and  abilities  in  both  medicine 
and  surgery.     He  was  born   in  Adair   county,  Kentucky,  April   6, 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I  23 

1826.  The  family  from  which  he  descended  came  to  Virginia, 
when  it  was  a  young  colony,  from  Londonderry,  Ireland.  The  de- 
scendants, who  are  numerous,  are  spread  over  many  of  the 
western  and  southern  States. 

The  subject  of  these  notes  removed  with  his  parents,  Joseph  C. 
Walker  and  wife,  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Sangamon  county  in 
1S30,  near  a  place  now  called  Middletown,in  Logan  county.  After 
residing  there  seven  years  he  removed  to  Irish  Grove,  Menard 
county,  where  he  died  in  1S41,  aged  fifty-six  years.  Dr.  Walker 
then  carried  his  mother  back  to  Kentucky,  overland,  and  remained 
there,  laboring  at  four  dollars  per  month  for  means  to  enable  him 
to  return  to  Illinois.  On  his  return  he  worked  on  a  farm,  taught 
school,  and,  as  well  as  he  could,  unaided,  pursued  the  study  of 
medicine.  In  1S46  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fourth  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers, under  Col.  Ed.  Baker,  and  was  at  the  seige  of  Vera  Cruz 
and  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo;  was  a  second  Sergeant  in  his  com- 
pany. On  his  return  to  Menard  county  he  was  elected  Assessor 
and  Treasurer,  and  was  then  enabled  again  to  resume  the  studies 
so  congenial  to  his  taste.  So  sanguine  was  he  in  the  pursuit  of  the 
knowledge  requisite  to  the  profession  of  medicine,  that  he  carried 
medical  books  in  his  knapsack  during  his  service  in  the  Mexican 
war.  His  acquirements  were  finally  reduced  to  system  under  Dr.  J. 
G.  Rogers,  of  Petersburg,  111.  ' 

He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Athens,  Illinois,  in  March, 
1849,  but  in  July,  the  same  year,  removed  to  Walker's  Grove, 
Mason  county. 

On  July  3d,  1849,  he  married  Miss  Martha  E.  Towne,  who  died 
in  1853.  In  1854  he  again  married.  The  lady  was  Miss  M.  A. 
Walker,  daughter  of  W.  H.  Walker,  of  Lancaster,  Iowa.  In  1S57 
he  joined  with  others  in  laying  out  Mason  City,  and  in  1859  made 
this  his  permanent  home.  In  1861,  under  the  first  call  for  volun- 
teers, he  enlisted,  and  was  made  Captain  of  Company  K,  17th  Illi- 
nois Infantry,  for  which  see  roster  of  the  17th  Infantry,  in  the 
Military  department  of  this  work.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Fred- 
ericktown,  Ft.  Donaldson  and  Shiloh.  He  then  resigned  and  assisted 
in  raising  the  85th  Illinois  Infantry,  of  which  he  was  appointed 
Surgeon,  and  afterwards  Lieuntenant-Colonel,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  till  the  battle  of  Chicamauga,  when  he  returned  to  Mason 
City  and  resumed  his  practice.  In  1865  it  was  proposed  to  erect  a 
monument  to  departed  soldiers,  and  Dr.  Walker  was  made  Presi- 
dent of  the  building  association. 


124  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

By  his  present  wife  a  family  of  pleasant  and  interesting  children 
have  sprung  up  ahout  them — eight  in  number — making  lively  their 
pleasant  home  in  Mason  Citv. 

Dr.  Walker  is  an  active  and  enthusiastic  member  of  his  profes- 
sion, enjoying  an  extensive  and  successful  practice,  and,  like  all 
men  who  love  their  profession,  is  quite  successful.  Sociallv.  we 
know  Dr.  Walker  as  a  genial,  pleasant  gentleman;  enjoying  good 
health,  he  bids  fair  for  a  long  life  of  usefulness  in  his  labors  to  ben- 
efit his  fellow-man. 


JOHN  A.  MALLORY. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  is  at  the  head  of  these  notes  is  not 
an  old  resident  of  Mason  county,  but  one  whose  talents  and  abili- 
ties have  prominently  identified  him  in  the  political,  the  literary, 
the  legal  and  the  business  interests  of  the  county.  The  writer 
first  met  and  became  acquainted  with  Judge  Mallory  on  his  first 
arrival  and  settlement  in  Havana,  in  the  year  1S5S,  at  which  time 
he  emigrated  here  from  Tennessee,  where  he  had  resided  for  some 
years,  though  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Possessed  of  fine  aesthetic 
taste,  unusual  mechanical  ability,  sound  education  and  a  taste  for 
literature,  it  is  not  strange  that  we  find  him  an  artist,  a  printer,  an 
editor  or  a  painter.  These  varied  talents  he  possesses  in  no  small 
degree.  He  possesses  poetical  genius  that  deserves  a  notoriety  that 
he  does  not  care  to  admit.  Below  find  a  little  production  of  his 
pen,  thrown  off  without  a  moment's  thought,  July  4,  iS^q,  and 
published  in  the  Havana  Gazette  the  same  week: 

"To-day's  our  Nation's  Jubilee, 

Let  every  patriot's  heart  beat  high; 
From  North  to  South — from  sea  to  sea, 

May  it-  remembrance  never  die. 

Baptized  in  blood,  our  fathers  swore 

No  more  to  bend  the  suppliant  knee — 
No  more  to  heed  the  Lion's  roar, 

Henceforth  to  be  forever  free! 

That  pledge  of  freedom  which  they  gave. 

In  'Seventy-six.  'mid  sword  and  name, 
Their  children  now  should  ever  save 

From  tyrant's  grasp  or  despot's  claim. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I25 

And  shall  traitor  hands  e'er  sever 

The  Union  hy  which  our  fathers  stood  ? 

No!  may  its  links  be  bright  forever, 
Binding  firm  our  brotherhood." 

The  New-year  following  he  was  the  successful  competitor  for  a 
silver  cup,  valued  at  fifty  dollars,  for  the  best  poem  on  the  new 
year.  The  premium  was  offered  in  the  city  of  Memphis.  We 
have  read  the  poem,  and  the  letter  awarding  the  cup,  and  asking 
by  what  means  of  conveyance  it  should  be  forwarded  to  him.  The 
poem  was  a  lengthy  production,  very  meritorious,  and  we  regret 
that  we  have  never  been  able  to  obtain  a  copy,  of,  on  the  present 
occasion,  to  extract  therefrom.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebel- 
lion he  took  active  part  in  political  affairs  in  behalf  of  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  Union,  and  on  the  27th  of  August,  1S62,  was  mustered 
into  the  service  in  the  85th  Illinois  Infantry,  in  an  official  position, 
(for  which  see  roster  of  85th  111.,  in  another  part  of  this  book) 
which  was  filled  with  fidelity  and  credit.  He  resigned  February 
7,  1S63.  In  1S65  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Police  Justice,  to 
fill  a  vacancy,  and  afterwards  re-elected  for  a  full  term ;  served 
with  great  acceptance  in  this  position  for  five  years,  when  he  was 
elected  County  Judge  in  1869,  which  position  he  filled  with  such 
fidelity  and  satisfaction  that  it  needs  no  further  comment  than  to 
state  the  fact  that  he  was  re-elected  in  1873  by  the  largest  majority 
any  officer  ever  received  in  Mason  county. 

These  continued  re-elections  by  increased  majorities  is  a  better 
and  more  eloquent  commentary  on  his  official  acts  than  any  in  the 
power  of  the  writer  to  undertake. 

A  social,  pleasant  and  genial  gentleman,  he  has  made  many 
strong  friends;  an  active  politician  of  the  "straitest  of  the  sect,"  a 
democrat,  a  member  of  the  County  Central  Committee  of  that 
party,  also  of  the  State  Central  Committee. 

If  there  is  one  fact  more  than  another  that  stands  forth  pre-emi- 
nent and  conspicuous  where  there  are  many  strong  points,  as  a  tall 
mountain  peak  rises  high  in  the  blue  vault  of  heaven,  and  is  promi- 
nent, though  surrounded  by  other  mountain  peaks,  it  is  his  record 
as  a  judicial  officer.  That  record  is  without  blot  or  blemish.  His 
decisions  do  not  in  the  least  indicate  his  individual  opinions,  but 
the  law  and  the  testimony.  When  the  surging  waves  of  treason 
were  lashing  against  the  columns  of  the  colossal  Accropolis  of  the 
nation's  glory,  though  a  southern  man  by  birth  and  education,  he 


126  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  unite  with  the  Union  army.  When  an 
odious  law  is  to  be  enforced,  he  executes  his  duty  to  the  letter  of 
the  statute,  thus  hastening  its  repeal. 


HENRY  C.  BURNHAM. 

The  Burnham  family  is  descended  from  an  ancient  English  an- 
cestry. The  historical  publications  of  Norfolk  county,  England, 
enables  the  family  to  establish  an  unbroken  line  in  that  country, 
down  through  the  lapse  of  centuries  to  the  year  1S1S,  and  living 
men  of  the  name  still  in  England  carry  the  line  of  succession  to 
still  later  dates.  The  coat-of-arms  seems  to  have  existed  since  the 
eleventh  century,  without  modification. 

Bv  increase  and  inter-marrying  they  became  scattered  over  Eng- 
land, and  prominently  identified  with  Church  and  State,  and,  finally, 
it  became  engrafted  on  American  soil.  The  origin  of  American 
Burnhams  is  traceable  to  three  brothers,  John,  Thomas  and  Robert, 
sons  of  Rupert  and  Mary  (Andrews)  Burnham,  of  Norwich,  Nor- 
folk county,  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1635.  Robert  es- 
tablished himself  at  Dover,  New  Hampshire. 

John  Burnham  acquired  large  tracts  of  land,  and  became  a  very 
wealthy  and  influential  man.  His  grandson,  Ebenezer,  moved  to 
Windham,  Conn.,  and  became  the  ancestor  of  a  numerous  progeny.  ' 
He  purchased  a  farm  in  1734,  located  in  Hampton,  where,  until  re- 
cently, was  the  old  Burnham  homestead.  In  the  third  generation 
from  him,  or  the  sixth  from  John  Burnham,  Festus  Burnham  was 
born,  on  the  25th  of  April,  1796,  and  was  married,  in  1S23,  to 
Lora,  daugbter  of  Daniel  Clark.  Their  children  were  Lora  Ann, 
Henry  Clark,  and  Marina,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living, 
Lora  Ann,  widow  of  James  Ashley,  and  Henry  C.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  who  was  born  at  Hampton,  Conn.,  Jan.  30,  1826,  and 
who,  being  the  only  son,  stands  at  the  head  of  the  seventh  genera- 
tion of  his  own  family.  He  was  educated  at  home,  and  furnished 
with  the  advantages  of  high  schools  and  acadamies  abroad.  At 
the  age  of  nineteen,  he  settled  in  Champaign  county,  Ohio.  Here 
he  engaged  in  teaching,  but  afterwards  went  into  a  store,  in  Wood- 
stock, Ohio,  as  a  partner.  This  business  proved  too  confining  for 
him,  and  he  returned  to  Connecticut  to  regain  his  health.  Here  he 
met,  in  the  meantime,  Miss  Angeline  Currier,  who  was  at  one 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I  27 

time  a  pupil  of  his  school,  and  they  were  married,  Dec.  16,  1S47. 
She  was  born  in  Betheny,  Genesee  county,  New  York,  Dec.  16, 
1S25,  whither  her  family  had  removed  from  New  Hampshire. 
After  recovering  his  health,  Mr.  Burnham  came  to  Illinois,  in  the 
fall  of  1852,  and  first  stopped  at  Clinton,  Illinois,  and  then  went  to 
Mt.  Pulaski,  Illinois,  and  finally  to  his  present  locality.  Mr.  Burn- 
ham's  abilities  and  education  fit  him  for  any  official  position  in  the 
gift  of  the  people.  His  integrity  and  habits  have  made  him  a  con- 
spicuous member  of  the  community.  Being  averse  to  office,  he 
has  not  been  an  office  seeker.  Our  first  acquaintance  with  him 
was  in  1856,  at  which  time  he  was  a  member  of  the  county  court 
of  Mason  county,  a  position  of  responsibility  that  his  sound  judg- 
ment abundantly  qualified  him  to  fill  with  acceptance.  Like  all 
other  good  citizens  he  has  served  a  full  share  in  the  service  of  the 
township  and  school  offices.  In  times  gone  by,  he  has  been  guilty 
of  feeding  and  bidding  Godspeed  to  the  fugitive  from  slavery,  with 
which  this  government  was  then  accursed.  In  1S56  he  was  a  Re- 
publican, and  one,  of  twenty-five,  who  voted  for  Fremont,  out  of 
a  poll  of  three  hundred.  Though  ardently  attached  to  the  cause 
of  the  union,  and  ever  opposed  to  slavery,  he  is  now  devoid  of  hos- 
tility to  those  who  were  our  late  opponents,  and  believes  in  spread- 
ing the  broad  mantle  of  charity  over  the  short-comings  and  mis- 
doings of  the  past. 

Henry  C.  Burnham  is  fortunate  beyond  the  common  lot  of 
humanity,  in  being  surrounded  by  all  that  makes  life  pleasant.  He 
can  traverse  his  own  broad  acres,  and  say : 

"Earth  has  no  gentler  voice  to  man  to  give 

Than,  come  to  Nature's  arms,  and  learn  of  her  to  live." 


GEORGE  A.  BONNEY. 

Mr.  Bonney  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  the  year 
1S10.  His  ancestors  settled  in  Massachusetts,  during  the  colonial 
period.  His  grandfather  was  a  Colonel,  commanding  a  body  of 
State  troops,  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  an  engagement  there  during 
what  is  popularly  known  as  the  whisky  insurrection. 

Col.  Bonney's  family  consisted  of  nine  children.  Luke,  the  sec- 
ond son,  was  united  in  marriage  with  Eunice  Hinman,  and  re- 
moved to  the  State  of  New   York,  in    1S02.     Their  family  con- 


I3O  HISTORY  OF  MASOX  COUNTY. 

compile  1111  early  history  of  Mason  county,  better  than  myself.  With 
its  more  recent  history  you  yourself  are  well  acquainted. 

The  best  part  of  my  life — that  portion  which  should  be  given  to 
active  business  enterprise,  was  spent  in  Havana.  It  was  not  as 
fruitful  of  desirable  results  as  I  wish  it  had  been,  for  if  I  had  the 
ability,  which  I  do  not  assert,  I  certainly  had  not  the  pecuniary 
means  to  build  up  a  new  town  in  a  new  country.  When  at  the 
age  of  twenty-six  years  I  landed  in  Havana  from  the  steamer  "Aid," 
the  last  boat  up  the  Illinois  river  for  the  season  of  1S35,  Major  Osian 
M.  Ross,  was  living  at  Havana,  a  man  of  means  and  large  experience, 
and  proprietor  of  the  town,  ready  and  willing,  to  expend  money,  time 
and  influence  in  building  it  up.  He  promised  much  which  I  have 
no  reason  to  doubt  he  would  have  fulfilled  had  he  lived,  but  death 
removed  him  and  left  more  than  half  of  Havana  the  property  of 
an  estate  with  minor  heirs,  nearly  one-half  of  the  town  being  sold 
to  a  Peoria  firm  (whose  names  do  not  occur  to  me  at  this  moment) 
one  of  whom  soon  died,  and  their  portion  became  also  involved  in 
the  affairs  of  another  estate,  with  no  one  connected  with  either  try- 
ing to  build  up  the  town,  but  both  trying  to  draw  from  it  a  support 
to  live  elsewhere. 

Daniel  Adams  and  Abel  W.  Kemp  and  their  families  landed  at 
the  same  time,  all  of  us  having  started,  with  Orin  E.  Foster  and 
wife  (the  late  Mrs.  E.  Low)  from  Demorestville,  in  Upper  Canada, 
to  settle  somewhere  in  the  great  west,  and  in  a  warmer  climate 
than  Canada.  Mr.  Adams,  on  a  return  trip  to  Canada,  on  business, 
lost  his  life  by  a  ruffianly  mate  on  an  Ohio  river  steamboat,  near 
Louisville,  Kentucky.      You  know  Mr.  Kemp's  present  residence. 

You  ask  the  place  of  my  birth:  I  was  born  in  Benson,  Ver- 
mont, on  the  14th  day  of  February,  1809.  Benson,  Whiting  and 
Middletown,  Vermont,  were  respectively  my  home  until  my  iSth 
year,  when  my  father  removed  to  Watertown,  New  York,  where 
I  was  a  clerk  in  the  extensive  store  of  L.  Paddock,  until  my  22d 
birthday.  I  was  offered  a  partnership  in  Demorestville,  Canada, 
with  Mr.  James  Carpenter,  who  had  been  in  business  there  a  num- 
ber of  years,  and  was  well  established.  I  accepted,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Carpenter  and  Rockwell. 

In  1835  I  sold  out  my  interest  in  the  firm  to  my  partner  and  life- 
long friend,  and  took  my  savings  and  started  to  seek  my  new  home 
in  the  great,  and  the  then,  far  off  west. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  131 

Of  the  time  and  the  money  which  I  spent  from  my  slender 
means  for  years,  to  make  Havana  and  Mason  county  desirable  to 
live  in,  it  does  not  become  me  to  speak.  Havana  seems  to  me  yet 
more  like  home  than  anywhere  else  I  go  or  live;  not  becavise  there 
is  no  other  place  equal  to  it  in  this  part  of  the  country,  but  because 
I  lived  there  so  long,  and  because  there  are  so  many  much  less  de- 
sirable places. 

My  official  positions  have  been  few  and  unimportant,  with  per- 
haps the  exception  of  County  Judge,  in  which  I  tried  to  serve  the 
good  people  of  Mason  county  honestly  and  faithfully  to  the  best  of 
my  ability,  for  one  term.  But  "that  was  the  day  of  small  things," 
when  one  man  and  one  clerk,  partially  assisted  by  two  others,  did 
so  much  ivor k  for  so  little  pay,  and  when  the  county  court  thought 
a  prompt  discharge  of  duty  and  economy  in  county- expenses  were 
cardinal  virtues,  and  when  taxes  were  but  a  fraction  of  what  they 
are  now ;  and  yet  the  county  had  the  same  public  buildings  it  now 
has,  and  county  orders  were  as  good  as  gold.  Times  have,  indeed, 
changed. 

Hoping  that  success  may  attend  your  efforts  to  publish  a  history 
of  Mason  county  and  Havana,  from  their  earliest  settlement. 

I  am  truly  yours,     , 


J.  Cochrane,  Esq.,  Havana,  III. 


N.J.  Rockwell. 


JAMES  M.  HARDIN. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  work  there  is  no  more  pleasurable  duty 
to  perform  than  to  record  the  biography  of  those  '•'•square  built" 
men  who  are  physically,  morally  and  intellectually  described  by 
the  above  term,  and  of  which  Mr.  Hardin  furnished  a  marked  ex- 
ample. Free  from  all  pride,  show  and  pretense,  whose  sense  of 
duty,  is  his  law,  whose  word  is  his  bond,  the  stay  and  foundation 
of  any  government  is  in  the  conscientious  integrity  of  the  masses 
composing  '•'•the  people." 

Mr.  Hardin  was  born  in  Maryland,  Dec.  12,  1819,  and  in  his 
earlier  years  his  education  was  to  labor,  and  not  in  books,  having 
received  but  six  months  schooling  previous  to  his  removal  to  Illi- 
nois, in  1839,  and  only  three  months  after  that  time. 


I32  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

His  parents  not  being  in  affluent  circumstances,  he  worked  dur- 
ing the  summers,  thus  laying  the  foundation  of  his  present  fine  con- 
stitution, and,  in  the  winters,  when  farm  labor  was  not  to  be  ob- 
tained, he  applied  himself  to  mental  improvement,  with  eminent 
success. 

I  often  see  the  great  misfortune  many  young  men  are  compelled 
to  endure,  the  misfortune  that  they  were  not  born  poor  men's  sons, 
and  to  earn  their  own  subsistence. 

On  his  first  removal  to  Illinois,  in  1839,  he  located  in  Greene 
county;  was  married  in  1S42.  He  located  in  Mason  county,  in 
1S45,  on  Field's  Prairie,  near  the  village  of  Kilbourne,  where  he 
now  resides. 

For  thirty-eight  years  he  has  been  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  one  of  its  substantial  columns. 

Mr.  Hardin's  religious  views  partake  of  the  same  general  char- 
acteristics as  his  business  matters,  that  is,  whatever  he  finds  worth 
doing  at  all,  is  worth  doing  well.  Now,  being  advanced  in  years, 
possessed  of  a  competency  of  this  world's  goods,  enjoying  general 
good  health,  few  men  have  greater  reason  to  anticipate  a  pleas- 
anter  future,  or  more  years  of  permanent  enjoyment  for  some 
time  to  come. 


ORRIN  E.  FOSTER. 

The  subject  of  these  notes  was  born  in  the  State  of  Vermont, 
and  settled  in  Havana  in  1835.  He  was  one  of  the  colony  comprising 
Adams,  Rockwell,  Kemp,  and  others  referred  to,  in  the  sketch  of 
Kemp  and  of  Rockwell  in  this  book. 

On  the  location  of  Mr.  Foster  in  Havana,  he  engaged  in  the 
business  of  hotel  keeping,  and  ultimately  bought  a  farm  three 
miles  northeast  of  Havana,  where  he  resided  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  December  17,  1S43,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two 
years,  one  month  and  ten  days. 

Mrs.  Foster  was  born  in  New  York.  Thcv  were  married  be- 
fore their  removal  to  Mason  county,  in  1S35,  and  survived  her  first 
husband  many  years.  She  leaves  four  children  by  her  first  hus- 
band— Judson  R.  Foster,  grain  dealer,  of  the  firm  of  McFadden, 
Low  &  Co.,  of  this  city,  George  H.  Foster,  Mrs.  Jacob  Wheeler 
and  Mrs.  Nash,  of  this  city. 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY.  1 33 


By  her  second  marriage,  with  Mr.  Low,  there  are  two  sons,  Mr. 
Anson  Low,  of  the  grain  firm  before  named,  and  Mr.  Rufus  Low, 
of  this  city.  Mr.  J.  R.  Foster  and  the  Messrs.  Low  are  among  the 
substantial  business  men  of  Havana. 


WASHINGTON  H.  CAMPBELL. 

Was  born  in  Bath,  Mason  county,  Illinois,  on  October  12th,  1847, 
where  he  resided  until  he  was  ten  years  old.  His  father,  having 
been  elected  County  Judge,  removed  to  Havana.  In  185S,  his 
father,  having  been  elected  to  the  Legislature,  removed  his  family 
to  Lincoln.  He  was  steady  in  attendance  at  school  until  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  entered  a  dry  goods  store,  acting  as 
clerk  and  cashier.  He  remained  in  this  employment  for  two  years. 
He  then  entered  the  high  school,  and  pursued  his  studies  for  near 
three  years.  He  then  became  a  student  in  Jonathan  Jones'  Com- 
mercial School,  St.  Louis.  After  completing  the  commercial 
course,  he  entered  his  father's  store,  in  Lincoln,  and  remained  there 
as  book-keeper  until  the  fall  of  1866.  He  entered  Lincoln  Univer- 
sity at  the  opening  of  the  institution.  He  remained  there  until 
June,  186S,  completing  the  junior  year.  During  these  two  years 
he  was  always  at  his  post;  was  a  faithful  student  and  an  earnest 
Amasagascian,  and  took  part  in  several  of  the  public  entertain- 
ments given  by  his  society.  He  then,  with  his  parents,  moved  to 
Mason  City,  where  he  engaged  in  banking  with  his  father,  and 
keeping  up  his  studies.  In  the  fall  of  1S69  he  entered  the  Law 
Department  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  Ann  Ai"bor,  and  spent 
one  year  there.  He  was  very  successful  in  the  Moot  and  Club 
courts,  and  was  elected  Judge  of  one  of  the  best  club  courts  in  the 
University. 

In  the  summer  of  1870  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  Luther 
Dearborn,  Havana,  Illinois.  He  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Mi\ 
Dearborn  soon  after  being  admitted.  He  has  been  admitted  to  the 
United  States  District  Court,  and  also  to  the  United  States  Circuit 
Court,  in  which  courts,  as  also  the  several  adjoining  Circuit  Courts 
and  State  Supreme  Court,  he  has  a  large  and  increasing  practice. 
Mr.  Campbell  kept  up  his  studies  in  the  course  prescribed  by  Lin- 
coln University,  and  in  June,  1872,  the  degree  of  B.  S.  was  con- 
ferred upon  him,  and  he  graduated  as  a  member  of  the  class  of  1869. 


134  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

He  addressed  the  Alumni  Society,  June,  1873.     He  isdestined  to  be- 
come one  of  our  ablest  lawyers. 

During  the  spring  of  1876  Mr.  Campbell  married  Miss  Libbic, 
daughter  of  S.  C.  Conwell,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  and  resides  in  their 
pleasant  home,  on  the  hill,  near  the  residence  of  his  law  partner, 
L.  Dearborn,  Esq.  Perhaps  few  other  cases  have  occurred  in 
which  three  generations  have  been  so  prominently  identified  with 
a  county's  interests  as  have  P.  W.  Campbell,  G.  H.  Campbell  and 
W.  H.  Campbell.  The  son,  father  and  grandfather  have  been 
thus  identified. 


S.  D.  SWING. 

Mr.  Swing  was  born  in  Bethel,  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  in  182 1 ; 
moved  west  in  1840,  and  located  in  Mason  county,  southeast  of 
Mason  City,  at  a  place  called  Swing's  Grove.  He  here  engaged 
in  farming  until  1858.  September  15,  1842,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Sykes,  daughter  of  Edward  Sykes,  who  settled  in  Mason  county 
in  1837.  Miss  Mary  Sykes  is  referred  to  in  another  part  of  this 
work  as  the  teacher  of  the  first  school  in  Mason  county. 

Mr.  Swing,  like  all  substantial  citizens  of  our  common  country, 
has  served  a  full  share  in  township  and  school  offices.  For  eight 
yeai's  he  was  engaged  in  a  mercantile  business,  and  has  now  two 
sons  among  the  prominent  business  men  of  Mason  City. 

For  some  time  Mr.  Swing  has  been  retired  from  active  business, 
but,  not  willing  to  give  him  entire  rest,  the  people  of  Mason  City 
retain  him  on  their  Board  of  Aldermen,  where  his  judgment  and 
influence  are  felt  and  appreciated. 


ABRAM  SWING. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  and  the  preceding  one  were  brothers, 
and  both  noted  in  the  early  interests  of  Mason  county. 

Abram  Swing  was  born  in  1S13,  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  and 
came  to  Illinois  in  1S39,  and  was  married  to  Sarah  M.  Sikes  in 
1840,  settled  at  Swing's  Grove,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  until 
1857.     He  served  the  community  in   which  he  lived  several  years 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1 35 

as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  removed  to  Ohio  for  a  short  time,  and 
like  all  others  who  leave  Mason  county,  soon  returned  to  make  it 
his  permanent  home  for  the  rest  of  his  life. 

After  his  return  from  Ohio  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  Mason  City,  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
the  year  1866.  Being  one  of  the  first  business  men  of  the  city,  he 
was  known  and  greatly  beloved  among  his  acquaintances. 


EDWARD  SIKES. 

The  data  we  have  been  able  to  obtain  of  Edward  Sikes  is  of  ex- 
ceeding brevity;  but  his  early  residence  and  identification  with  the 
early  history  of  Mason  county,  scatters  his  name  on  many  pages  of 
this  book.  His  home,  quiet  life,  unostentatious  manners,  and  the 
surroundings  of  his  early  Mason  county  home,  will  make  it  long  to 
be  remembered  by  residents  of  that  county. 

Edward  Sikes  was  born  in  Maine,  and  removed  to  the  State  of 
New  York  when  six  years  old,  and  from  there  to  Ohio  when  at 
the  age  of  fourteen.  In  1820  he  married  Miss  Jemima  Virgin, 
moved  to  Illinois  in  1837,  settled  in  Mason  county,  where  he  re- 
mained until  his  death,  in  1855.  His  sole  occupation  was  that  of 
farming,  which  he  made  a  success.  He  was  frequently  called  on 
to  serve  his  neighbors  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the  peace.  It 
was  at  his  house  the  first  school  was  taught  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Mason  county,  by  his  daughter  Mary,  now  Mrs.  S.  D.  Swing,  of 
Mason  City.  The  other  daughter,  Sarah  M.,  widow  of  Abram 
Swing,  is  also  a  resident  of  Mason  city. 

These  families  have  been  ever  prominently  identified  with  Ma- 
son county's  interests. 


J.  A.  BURLINGAME. 

Mr.  Burlingame  was  born  in  New  York  in  1819,  May  25th,  and 
in  1S48  he  removed  west,  locating  in  Bath,  Illinois,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  In  1S46  he  married  Miss  Harriet  Taylor,  in  New 
York.  On  the  first  settlement  of  Mr.  Burlingame  in  Bath  he  went 
into  the  employ  of  Messrs.  Ruggles  and  Gatton,  and  then  with 
Gatton  and  O'Neal.     The  confidence  placed  in  him  by  these  busi- 


I36  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


ness  firms  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  remained  in  their 
employ  over  twelve  successive  years. 

On  the  completion  of  the  Peoria,  Pekin  and  Jacksonville  Rail- 
road through  Mason  county,  he  was  made  station  agent  at  Bath,  a 
position  he  has  since  retained  without  a  furlough,  being  the  first 
and  only  agent  at  that  town. 

Mr.  Burlingame's  make-up  peculiarly  qualifies  him  for  the  posi- 
tion he  has  so  long  and  so  satisfactorily  occupied ;  satisfactorily  not 
only  to  his  employers,  but  to  the  public  with  whom  he  has  to  do. 

A  pleasant,  genial  gentleman,  kind  and  accommodating,  whose 
strict  integrity  may  be  inferred  from  the  positions  he  has  so  long 
occupied.  His  amiable  lady  is  by  no  means  his  inferior  in  socia- 
bility. 


JOHN  H.  HAVIGH,ORST. 

Was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1820,  emigrated  to  America 
in  1836,  settled  at  Havana  in  in  1S37,  and  has  since  resided  in  Ma- 
son county ;  was  one  of  the  persons  present  at  an  election  held  at 
Havana  in  1837,  at  which  there  were  but  twelve  voters  in  the  pre- 
cinct— Mr.  Havighorst  not  being  of  sufficient  age  to  vote.  He  was 
elected  sheriff  in  1S48,  served  two  years,  was  re-elected  in  185S  for 
two  years,  and  in  1S62  for  a  third  term  of  two  years. 

In  1864  he  was  elected  circuit  clerk ;  served  four  years.  Between 
these  several  official  terms  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming. 

Mr.  Havighorst  has,  in  all  these  positions,  made  a  prompt  and 
efficient  officer,  as  these  frequent  re-elections  testify.  Though  now 
the  years  have  crept  upon  him,  it  has  been  almost  imperceptible, 
and  he  yet  bids  fair  for  many  more.  Active  and  vigorous  in  his 
habits,  he  is  in  in  no  danger  of  rusting  out,  and  the  care  he  takes 
and  has  taken  to  preserve  his  frame  in  its  present  vigor,  he  may 
still  be  expected  to  keep  it  from  wearing  out. 

To  Mr.  H.'s  long  residence,  familiarity  with  public  affairs,  and 
splendid  memory  of  early  events,  and  his  kindness  in  communica- 
ting them  to  us,  we  are  indebted  for  many  facts  contained  herein. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY 


137 


LUTHER  DEARBORN. 

It  is  necessity,  not  choice,  that  compels  the  system  of  brevity  we 
have  been  compelled  to  adopt  in  this  department. 

Mr.  Dearborn  was  born  March  24,  1820,  in  Plymouth,  New 
Hampshire,  and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1844,  and  settled  at  Havana. 
Was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1852,  in  Kane  county.  He  held  the 
office  of  sheriff  and  circuit  clerk.  It  is  superfluous  to  state  the  du- 
ties of  these  important  offices  were  performed.  What  Mr.  Dear- 
born does  not  do  well  and  satisfactorily  he  will  not  do  at  all.  He 
returned  to  Havana  in  185S,  since  which  time  this  has  been  his  per- 
manent home. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Dearborn  is  a  member  of  the  the  Walker  fam- 
ily, so  prominently  known  in  the  business  interests  of  Mason  county. 
We  refer  the  reader  to  the  history  of  the  Walker  family,  else- 
where in  this  work.  A  very  interesting  family  has  been  the  result 
of  their  union. 

To  speak  of  Mr.  Dearborn,  personally,  we  have  ever  known 
him  the  gentleman,  and  a  lawyer  of  unusual  abilities,  kind  and 
courteous. 


JOSEPH  STATLER. 

Joseph  Statler  was  born,  in  1828,  in  Miami  comity,  Ohio,  re- 
moved to  Mason  county  in  1849,  since  which  time  Mason  county 
has  been  his  permanent  home.  In  1852,  he  married  Miss  E.  J. 
Cramer.  Mr.  Statler's  business  abilities  have  frequently  induced 
his  friends  to  place  him  in  those  official  positions  he  is  so  peculiarly 
qualified  to  fill.  The  records  of  Mason  county  show  terms  of  his 
services  as  assessor  and  county  treasurer.  In  these  positions,  it  is 
needless  to  say  his  duties  were  promptly,  faithfully  and  ably  per- 
formed. 

Mason  city  is  his  present  home,  where  he  has  resided  some  years, 
and  the  people  of  that  thriving  and  prosperous  city  have  honored 
him  with  the  office  of  city  judge.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business. 

Mr.  Statler's  residence,  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  county,  began 
when  that  region  was  quite  primitive,  and  a  very  pleasing  contrast 
could  be  drawn  between  "then"  and  "now."  Then,  vast  seas  of 
—18 


I36  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY, 

ness  firms  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  remained  in  their 
employ  over  twelve  successive  years. 

On  the  completion  of  the  Peoria,  Pekin  and  Jacksonville  Rail- 
road through  Mason  county,  he  was  made  station  agent  at  Bath,  a 
position  he  has  since  retained  without  a  furlough,  being  the  first 
and  only  agent  at  that  town. 

Mr.  Burlingame's  make-up  peculiarly  qualifies  him  for  the  posi- 
tion he  has  so  long  and  so  satisfactorily  occupied;  satisfactorily  not 
only  to  his  employers,  but  to  the  public  with  whom  he  has  to  do. 

A  pleasant,  genial  gentleman,  kind  and  accommodating,  whose 
strict  integrity  may  be  inferred  from  the  positions  he  has  so  long 
occupied.  His  amiable  lady  is  by  no  means  his  inferior  in  socia- 
bility. 


JOHN  H.  HAVIGHORST. 

Was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1820,  emigrated  to  America 
in  1836,  settled  at  Havana  in  in  1S37,  and  has  since  resided  in  Ma- 
son countv ;  was  one  of  the  persons  present  at  an  election  held  at 
Havana  in  1S37,  at  which  there  were  but  twelve  voters  in  the  pre- 
cinct— Mr.  Havighorst  not  being  of  sufficient  age  to  vote.  He  was 
elected  sheriff  in  1848,  served  two  years,  was  re-elected  in  185S  for 
two  years,  and  in  1S62  for  a  third  term  of  two  years. 

In  1S64  he  was  elected  circuit  clerk ;  served  four  years.  Between 
these  several  official  terms  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming. 

Mr.  Havighorst  has,  in  all  these  positions,  made  a  prompt  and 
efficient  officer,  as  these  frequent  re-elections  testify.  Though  now 
the  years  have  crept  upon  him,  it  has  been  almost  imperceptible, 
and  he  yet  bids  fair  for  many  more.  Active  and  vigorous  in  his 
habits,  he  is  in  in  no  danger  of  rusting  out,  and  the  care  he  takes 
and  has  taken  to  preserve  his  frame  in  its  present  vigor,  he  may 
still  be  expected  to  keep  it  from  wearing  out. 

To  Mr.  H.'s  long  residence,  familiarity  with  public  affairs,  and 
splendid  memory  of  early  events,  and  his  kindness  in  communica- 
ting them  to  us,  we  are  indebted  for  many  facts  contained  herein. 


HISTORY  OF  MASOX  COUNTY.  137 


LUTHER  DEARBORN. 

It  is  necessity,  not  choice,  that  compels  the  system  of  brevity  we 
have  been  compelled  to  adopt  in  this  department. 

Mr.  Dearborn  was  born  March  24,  1S20,  in  Plymouth,  New 
Hampshire,  and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1S44,  and  settled  at  Havana. 
Was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1852,  in  Kane  county.  He  held  the 
office  of  sheriff  and  circuit  clerk.  It  is  superfluous  to  state  the  du- 
ties of  these  important  offices  were  performed.  What  Mr.  Dear- 
born does  not  do  well  and  satisfactorily  he  will  not  do  at  all.  He 
returned  to  Havana  in  1858,  since  which  time  this  has  been  his  per- 
manent home. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Dearborn  is  a  member  of  the  the  Walker  fam- 
ily, so  prominently  known  in  the  business  intei'ests  of  Mason  county. 
We  refer  the  reader  to  the  history  of  the  Walker  family,  else- 
where in  this  work.  A  very  interesting  family  has  been  the  result 
of  their  union. 

To  speak  of  Mr.  Dearborn,  personally,  we  have  ever  known 
him  the  gentleman,  and  a  lawyer  of  unusual  abilities,  kind  and 
courteous. 


JOSEPH  STATLER. 

Joseph   Statler  was  born,  in    1828,  in   Miami   cot-  Jhio,  re- 

moved to  Mason  county  in  1S49,  since  which  tirp  .*iason  county 
has  been  his  permanent  home.  In  1852,  he  married  Miss  E.  J. 
Cramer.  Mr.  Statler's  business  abilities  have  frequently  induced 
his  friends  to  place  him  in  those  official  positions  he  is  so  peculiarly 
qualified  to  fill.  The  records  of  Mason  county  show  terms  of  his 
services  as  assessor  and  county  treasurer.  In  these  positions,  it  is 
needless  to  say  his  duties  were  promptly,  faithfully  and  ably  per- 
formed. 

Mason  city  is  his  present  home,  where  he  has  resided  some  years, 
and  the  people  of  that  thriving  and  prosperous  city  have  honored 
him  with  the  office  of  city  judge.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business. 

Mr.  Statler's  residence,  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  county,  beo-an 

when  that  region  was  quite  primitive,  and  a  very  pleasing  contrast 

could   be  drawn   between  "then"  and  "now.1'     Then,  vast  seas  of 
—  18 


I3S  HISTORY  OF  MASON"   COUNTY. 

prairie  grass  and  flowers;  now,  vast  seas  of  ripening  wheat  and 
growing  corn.  Then,  the  sight  was  onlv  obstructed  by  the  distant 
groves,  or  undulating  swell  of  the  ocean-like  surface.  Now,  the 
landscape  is  diversified  by  orchards,  meadows,  and  the  homes  of  the 
well-to-do  farmers,  whose  fine  agriculture  is  a  mine  of  wealth,  and 
t'the  cattle  on  a  thousand  hills"  are  his. 

Like  others  removing  to  the. west  before  the  day  of  railroads, 
Mr.  Statler  came  overland  by  his  own  convevance.  At  noon  they 
dined  near  Prairie  creek,  and  from  thereto  Lease's  grove  was  with- 
out a  house,  tenanted  onlv  by  herds  of  deer  in  the  tall  grass.  The 
leading  characteristics  of  the  subject  of  this  brief  sketch,  are  sound- 
ness and  business  abilities,  a  pleasant  associate,  a  good  neighbor, 
and  a  gentleman. 


MOSES  ECKARD. 

Xo  better  representative  of  the  substantial  farmer  element  of 
Mason  county  exists  than  the  gentleman  whose  name  is  at  the  head 
of  this  article.  He  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  Oct. 
S,  1S12,  and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1843,  and  settled  where  he  now 
resides,  near  Topeka,  in  this  county.  Mr.  Eckard  was  married,  in 
1S44,  to  Miss  Simmons,  oldest  daughter  of  Pollard  Simmons,  an 
old  resident  of  that  vicinity.  They  have  raised  a  family  of  four 
chiiui  -ee  boys  and  one  girl,  all  residing  in  Illinois.     His  busi- 

ness   has  >    farming,    and    with    him    it    has    been   a  financial 

success. 

There  are  few  pleasanter   homes,  even  in  the  beautiful  region  of 
Quiver,  than  the  home,  and  well  cared  for  farm  of  Mr.  Eckard,  on 
the  banks  of  that   beautiful   stream.     Quiet   and   unostentatious    in 
his   manners,  and   though  well   on  in  years,  he  bids   fair  for  many 
more  of  pleasant  usefulness  in  the  community  where  he  lives. 


THOMAS  X.  MEHAX. 

It  is  with  pleasure  we  record  the  arrival  in  Mason  county,  dur- 
ing this  centennial  year,  of  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch.  Mr.  Mehan  was  born  in  the  City  of  Xew  York,  April  1, 
1S44;  removed  to  Illinois  in  1S57,  located  at  Delavan,  and  worked  on 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I  39 

a  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age ;  and  were  we  called  on  for 
an  opinion  as  to  the  kind  of  a  farmhand  he  made,  we  would  say, 
good;  for  his  physical  organization  and  driving  energy  would 
make  him  first  up  in  the  morning,  first  in  the  field,  and  first  home 
for  his  dinner.  The  common  schools  were  his  alma  mater, 
although  he  attended  for  a  while  Lombard  University.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1S6S;  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Delaven; 
located  in  Mason  City  in  March,  1S76;  was  city  attorney  in  Pekin 
one  year,  and  is  the  democratic  candidate  for  county  attoi*ney  of 
Mason  comity  for  this  coming  fall's  election.  We  anticipate  his 
success,  for  from  our  knowledge  of  Mr.  Mehan,  we  know  he  ac- 
complishes all  his  undertakings.  In  Thomas  N.  Mehan  we  find 
another  marked  instance  of  a  self-made  man.  Talented,  energetic 
and  careful ;  educated  by  his  own  energies  and  perseverance ;  soci- 
able and  affable  in  his  intercourse  with  all,  of  good  legal  abilities, 
fine  physical  organization,  we  know  of  no  one  with  better  pros- 
pects of  usefulness  and  longevity  before  them. 


COL.  A.  S.  WEST. 

Col.  West  first  made  Mason  county  his  home  in  1S44,  having 
located  in  Bath  that  year,  when  Bath  consisted  of  two  log  cabins 
and  a  small  frame  house,  the  latter  not  occupied.  When  Bith  was 
the  county  seat  of  Mason  county,  and  no  court  h  mty,  Cas  yet 
erected,  Circuit  Court  was  held  at  the  house  of  ^e  MWest.  He 
also  served  in  the  Winnebago  war,  which  was  then  a  serious  draw- 
back on  the  settlement  of  the  northwestern  part  of  this  State. 
Col.  West  is  now  a  resident  of  Miami  county,  Kansas.  Being 
born  in  1801,  he  is  consequently  now  seventy-five  years  of  age,  a 
marked  instance  of  health  and  vigor. 

Nature  has  covered  him  over  with  certificates  of  good  conduct — 
of  fidelity  to  her  laws — thus  enabling  him  to  enjoy  his  present 
years  with  the  life  and  vivacity  of  youth,  or  "he  has  eaten  his  cake 
and  still  has  kept  it."  Col.  West  opened  the  first  stock  of  general 
merchandise  in  the  town  of  Bath.  Few  men  have  been  more 
fortunate  than  Mr.  West.  Possessed  of  a  competency,  and  his 
family  all  well  settled  in  life,  though  bereft  by  death  of  the  com- 
panion of  his  life's  journey,  he  finds  happiness  in  visiting  those  old 
friends  and  the  members  of  his  family  in  this  State  and  in  the  west. 


I4O  HISTORY   OF    MASON'   COUNTY. 

One  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  II .  O'Neal,  well  and  favorably 
known  in  this  county.  Another  is  married  to  a  prominent  physi- 
cian in  Jacksonville,  and  a  third  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Chap- 
man, an  eminent  physician  in  Peoria.  A  son  is  a  prominent  busi- 
ness man  in  Paola,  Kansas. 

On  the  early  settlement  of  Mr.  West  at  Bath,  a  daughter  died, 
and  was  the  first  interment  in  the  Bath  cemetery. 

The  acquaintance  of  Mr.  West  and  his  pleasant  family  raises 
our  estimate  of  the  human  race.  It  is  seldom  we  find  the  talents, 
refinement,  health  and  general  sociability  that  we  have  met  in  our 
acquaintance  with  this  family. 


CHARLES  P.  RICHARDSON. 

In  gathering  material  for  the  present  work,  we  heard  of  Charles 
P.  Richardson,  the  old  pioneer  of  Grand  Island  in  1S36,  who  as- 
sisted Mr.  Lincoln  in  the  original  surveys  of- this  country,  etc.  We 
fixed  in  our  minds  that  we  would  meet  an  old,decrepid  man,  walk- 
ing on  two  canes,  or  on  crutches,  with  an  asthmatic  cough,  etc.,  etc. 
But  imagine  our  surprise.  We  found  him,  of  course,  on  in  year-. 
but  vigorous,  hale  and  hearty,  a  model  of  health  and  activity,  en- 
gaged in  an  occupation  requiring  the  exercise  of  muscle,  of  which 
he  has  an  abundance.  A  hand-shake  with  him  wakes  you  up  if 
disposed  to  be  dull;  a  mine  of  information,  a  splendid  memory,  a 
pleasant  gentleman. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1S14;  moved  to  Illi- 
nois in  1S19,  and  settled  on  Grand  Island,  in  the  Illinois  river,  op- 
posite Bath,  in  1S36,  and  has  resided  in  Bath  for  the  past  nine  years. 
He  assisted  the  late  President  Lincoln  in  the  original  surveys  of 
this  country  and  the  town  of  Bath.  Mr.  R.  is  a  natural  mechanic; 
has  been  engaged  in  the  various  occupations  of  blacksmithing, 
shoe-making,  boat-building  and  cabinetmaking.  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
surveying  party  boarded  with  Mr.  Richardson  during  their  stay  in 
the  vicinity  of  Bath.  Mr.  Richardson  was  so  pleased  with  the 
society  of  his  guests  that  he  refused  all  compensation  for  board. 
Mr.  Lincoln  persisted,  however,  in  some  compensation  being  made, 
-.;  some  service  rendered,  in  return,  and  surveyed  Mr.  Richardson's 
lands  for  him  in  that  vicinity.  During  the  stay  of  Mr.  Lincoln 
and  party  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Richardson,  a  party  from   Schuyler 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I4I 

county  came  there  on  a  deerhunting  expedition,  and  also  were  the 
guests  of  Mr.  Richardson.  Three  beds  were  filled,  and  the  rest 
bivouaced  on  the  floor  of  the  one  small  room  the  house  contained. 
Billy  Brown,  one  of  the  Schuyler  county  party,  had  a  frightful 
dream.  He  dreamed  the  world  was  on  fire,  an  event  Mr.  Brown 
did  not  feel  prepared  for,  and  consequently  was  much  alarmed. 
Rising  hastily  from  his  bed  on  the  cabin  floor,  he  looked  through 
the  openings  between  the  logs  of  the  cabin  walls,  and  beheld  the 
fires  in  the  open  furnaces  of  an  Illinois  river  steamer,  which  was 
headed  for  the  shore,  near  where  the  cabin  stood,  wakening  the 
echoes  of  the  island  shore  with  her  shrill  whistle,  to  rouse  the  men 
of  the  wood  yard  from  their  deep  slumbers.  Poor  Billy  Brown, 
from  his  frightful  dream,  half  awake,  beheld  the  fires,  the  puffing 
steamer,  and  the  shrieking  whistle,  so  mistook  his  surroundings  as 
to  believe  that  Gabriel  had  blown  his  last  trump,  that  "the  elements 
were  melting  with  fervid  heat,"  and  the  heavens  were  about  to  be 
"rolled  together  as  a  scroll."  Billy  engaged  in  very  fervent  devo- 
tions then  and  there,  on  his  humble  cot,  much  to  the  amusement  of 
Mr.  Richardson  and  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  the  rest  of  the  company. 
The  poor  fellow  was  finally  brought  to  his  senses,  and  made  to 
comprehend  the  true  cause  of  his  alarm.  For  the  balance  of  their 
stay  Billy's  devotional  exercises  were  not  allowed  to  be  long  out  of 
mind. 


W.  F.  BUNTON. 

Mr.  Bunton  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1822,  and  came  to 
Illinois  in  1S40,  and  settled  in  Greene  county.  From  there  he  re- 
moved to  Bath  in  1842,  and  in  1843,  when  the  county  seat  was  con- 
sidered permanently  located  at  Bath,  and  a  court  house  erected, 
Mr.  Bunton  put  the  roof  on  that  celebrated  structure.  Not  only 
the  county  seat  has  passed  away,  but  also  the  old  court  house,  to 
give  room  for  the  handsome  and  commodious  school  edifice  erected 
in  its  stead. 

Mr.  Bunton  is  a  good  citizen — a  gentleman.  For  many  years  he 
has  been  in  a  general  nursery  business  and  the  manufacture  of 
wines. 


I  yz  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 


ISAAC  VAIL. 

Mr.  Vail  is  an  old  citizen,  and  a  citizen  of  which  Bath  may  well 
boast.  He  is  a  native  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1S43,  and  to  Bath  two  years  later,  which  has  since  heen  his 
home.  Bath  owes  much  of  her  improvements  and  influence  to 
Mr.  Vail.  For  fifteen  years  he  was  engaged  in  general  merchan- 
dise in  that  town,  but  for  some  time  the  weight  of  years  have  been 
pressing  somewhat  heavily  upon  him  and  having  a  competency  of 
this  world's  goods,  he  has  retired  from  active  business. 

Mr.  Vail  is  now  seventy-five  years  of  age,  enjoys  uniform  health, 
saving  with  Job  of  old,  "All  the  days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I 
wait  till  my  change  come."  Our  personal  acquaintance  of  over 
twenty  years  with  Mr.  Vail  has  been  very  pleasant. 


MOSES  MORRIS. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  whom  it  is  difficult  for  the 
writer  to  to  give  an  impartial  sketch,  for  the  reason  that  we  have 
had  a  long  and  an  exceedingly  pleasant  personal  acquaintance  with 
him. 

"Some  books  are  lies  from  end  to  end, 
And  some  great  lies  were  never  penned, 
Even  ministers  they  have  been  kenned 

In  holy  rapture. 
At  times  a  rousing  whid  to  vend, 

And  nail  it  with  scripture. 
But  this  that  I'm  going  to  tell, 
Is  just  as  true  as  the  di'els  in  hell, 

Or  Dublin  city. 
That  he  no  nearer  comes  oursel's, 

Is  a  great  pity." — Burns. 

The  above  named  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  the  year  1S24,  and 
came  to  Illinois  in  1854,  and  located  in  Bath  three  years  later,  and 
has  resided  not  only  in  the  same  place  ever  since,  but  in  the  same 
house.  In  his  younger  days  Mr.  Morris  was  apprenticed  to  the 
saddlery  and  harness  business,  but  splitting  leather,  making  wax- 
ends  and  stuffing  saddle- pads  and  horse-collars,  did  not  satisfy  a 
strong  and  somewhat  inquisitive  mind,  hence  he  became  somewhat 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I43 

actively  interested  in  the  political  issues  of  the  day,  and  an  active 
partizan,  in  local,  State  and  national  affairs.  Though  his  home  has 
been  in  this  small  and  comparatively  quiet  town,  instead  of  a  State 
capital  or  a  commercial  centre,  we  have  known  frequently  of  his 
opinions  being  asked  for  and  his  influence  having  been  felt  in  places 
and  under  circumstances  that  those  uninitiated  in  politics  would 
have  little  dreamed  of.  The  one  prominent  element  in  the  charac- 
ter of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  that  is  above  the  rest,  where  there 
\are  many  prominent  ones,  is  his  kindness  and  goodness  in  caring 
for  and  rendei'ing  assistance  to  the  sick  or  suffering  of  his  neigh- 
bors. No  trouble  too  irksome,  no  undertaking  too  severe,  where 
the  suffering  of  a  fellow-mortal  is  to  be  alleviated  or  in  any  way 
benefitted.  He  always  has  time  for  these  duties,  and  duties  he  re- 
gards them,  and  with  him  duty  is  law.  In  his  intercourse  with  his 
fellow-man  he  is  dignified  and  courteous,  never  turning  his  back  on 
a  friend  or  avoiding  an  enemy.  His  sociability  makes  him  many 
friends,  and  he  has,  perhaps,  a  larger  acquaintance  among  promi- 
inent  men  in  the  State  of  Illinois  than  any  other  person  in  Mason 
county. 


JOSEPH  S.  BANER. 

Mr.  Baner  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  1823,  and  removed 
to  Mason  county  in  1857,  and  settled  on  a  farm  iu  Allen's  Grove 
township,  where  he  resided  until  he  removed  in  1S66  to  Mason 
City.     Was  made  post-master  at  that  city  in  February,  1874. 

Mr.  Baner  was  married  in  1S46;  has  three  children  living  and 
five  deceased.  Mr.  Baner  has  ever  been  an  active  politician,  firm 
and  candid  in  his  views,  and  a  republican  "after  the  straitest  of  the 
sect."  He  wras  a  candidate  for  the  State  Senate  in  1S72,  but  was 
defeated  by  our  present  Lieut.  Governor;  made  a  canvass  for  con- 
gress before  the  convention  last  year. 

We  have  advocated  for  some  years  the  repeal  of  all  laws  requir- 
ing official  bonds  to  be  given  by  men  elected  to  office,  either  local, 
state  or  national,  and  have  always  referred  to  Mr.  Baner  as  one  of 
the  men  of  our  acquaintance  for  whom  we  would  vote  for  any  po- 
sition as  freely  without  an  official  bond  as  with  it,  and  we  have 
never  found  a  man  to   dissent  from    our   opinion   on   that  subject. 


144  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

Pleasant  and  gentlemanly,  with  all  with  whom  he  has  to  do,  active 
and  efficient  in  his  duties,  as  an  officer  and  as  a  citizen  he  has  many 

friends. 


•  A.  A.  CARGILL. 

Prominently  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Mason  City, 
and  consequently  of  Mason  county,  is  Mr.  A.  A.  Cargill.  He  was 
born  at  Wentham,  Mass.,  Dec.  9,  1S27,  where  he  resided  until 
1849,  when  he  removed  to  Chicago,  and  from  there  to  Mason 
county,  in  1S57,  and  to  the  vacant  prairie  where  Mason  City  now 
stands  with  her  2,500  inhabitants,  in  1858,  and  opened  the  first  dry 
goods  store  in  that  now  flourishing  city  in  the  same  year.  On  his 
commencement  of  business  there,  there  were  but  six  houses  in  the 
vicinity,  three  within  the  corporate  limits,  and  three  without.  He 
has  notloeen  continuously  in  business  since  his  residence  in  the  city, 
but  for  the  past  eleven  years  has  done  a  very  extensive  trade  in  dry 
goods,  clothing,  and  boots  and  shoes. 

Mr.  Cargill's  business  ability  in  the  management  of  his  affairs 
has  secured  him  a  competency,  and  he  lets  the  world  run  on  quietly 
and  easily,  not  losing  rest  at  night  for  the  accumulation  of  dollars 
and  cents.  He  was  the  first  Postmaster  in  Mason  City,  was  sue- 
ceeded  by  Israel  Hibbard,  and  again  re-appointed,  at  the  retire- 
ment of  Mr.  Hibbard.  He  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  city 
council.  As  is  usual  with  the  prominent  members  of  every  com- 
munity, he  has  served  a  full  share  in  those  humble  but  useful  posi- 
tions of  township  and  school  offices,  where  it  is  all  work  and  no 
pay. 

Mr.  Cargill  is  a  man  of  fine  natural  abilities,  and  of  cultivation, 
enjovs  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  acquaintances,  and  his  bus- 
iness talents  are  of  a  high  order. 


J.  M.  ESTEP. 

Mr.  Estep  is  a  native  of  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  was  born 
Dec.  14,  1819,  removed  to  Menard  county,  in  1820,  and  to  Mason 
county,  in  1833,  being  thus  not  only  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Mason    county,  but    one   of  the    very   first    in   central    Illinois.      In 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I45 

1S20,  when  James  Estep,  the  father  of  J.  M.,  moved  to  what  is  now 
Menard  county,  the  present  great  State  of  Illinois  had  but  few 
white  inhabitants.  It  had  but  just  been  admitted  as  a  State  into 
the  Union.  The  Estep  family  were  originally  from  North  Caro- 
lina. The  writer  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  elder  Mr.  Estep 
more  than  twenty  years  ago,  or  about  three  years  before  his  death, 
and  a  pleasant  personal  acquaintance  has  existed  with  the  sons 
since  that  time,  and  it  is  with  much  pleasure  that  we  record  the 
very  excellent  qualities  of  mind  and   heart  in  all. 

The  Estep  family  have  ever  been  among  our  most  reliable  and 
substantial  farmers,  and  best  citizens,  making  the  golden  rule  their 
law,  in  practice  as  well  as  in  theory. 


J.  P.  HUDSON. 

Mr.  Hudson  was  born  in  1S05,  in  Oxford,  Mass.,  removed  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  in  Macoupin  county,  in  183S;  from  there  he  re- 
moved to  Pike  county,  in  1S44,  and  to  St.  Louis  in  1845,  but  re" 
turned  to  Matanzas,  in  Mason  county,  and  after  a  residence  there 
of  seven  years,  removed  to  his  farm,  about  five  miles  east  of 
Havana,  and  to  Havana  in  1857. 

After  residing  in  Havana  about  nine  years,  he  removed  to  Mason 
City,  where  he  still  resides,  and  is  serving  the  people  of  that  city 
very  acceptably  as  justice  of  the  peace.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hudson 
(formerly  Miss  A.  Harrington,  of  Worcester  county,  Mass.,)  were 
married  in  1S32,  and  have  four  children,  two  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

The  oldest  son  is  also  a  resident  of  Mason  City,  engaged  in  a 
mechanical  business.  The  youngest  is  a  resident  of  Fort  Dodge, 
Iowa,  and  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Michigan  State  University,  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan.  The  oldest 
daughter  is  the  wife  of  R.  J.  Onstot,  Esq.,  book  and  news  dealer, 
in  Mason  City,  and  the  youngest,  a  very  competent  and  efficient 
teacher,  in  the   schools  of  Mason  City. 

Mr.  Hudson  has  the  credit  of  introducing  the  first  McCormick's 
reaper  ever  used  in  Mason  county,  and  sold  the  same  to  Mr.  Wm. 
Ainsworth,  of  Lynchburg. 

Mr.  Hudson  has  been  more  than  usually  fortunate.     He  has  not 
grown  rich,  and  has  never  been  poor, 
—  19 


I46  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

"But  has  held  fast  that  golden  mean, 
And  lived  most  happily  between 

The  little  and  the  great; 
Felt  not  the  wants  that  pinch  the  poor, 
Nor  plagues  that  haunt  the  rich  man's  doors, 

Embittering  all  his  state." 

But   most  fortunate  has   he  been  in   rearing  a  pleasant  intelligent 
family.     Education   and  refinement,  with   good   tastes,   and   social 
position  that  is  not  the  lot  of  all. 


JAMES  K.  COX. 

James  K.  Cox  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Virginia,  in  1797,  and 
emigrated  to  Tennessee  in  the  year  1 8 10,  and  from  there  to  Illi- 
nois, in  1819,  and  settled  in  Madison  county.  From  there  he  re- 
moved to  Morgan  county,  in  1822,  and  to  Mason  county,  where 
Manito  now  stands,  in  1S51.  He  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
that  town.     He  died  there,  in  1S63. 


R.  M.  COX, 

Son  of  James  K.  Cox,  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  in 
1 83 1.  He  came  to  Mason  county  with  his  father,  in  1851,  and  has 
always  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married,  in  1S53,  to 
Miss  A.  Malony,  daughter  of  Mr.  A.  Malony,  of  Coon  grove,  is 
a  well-to-do  farmer,  has  made  his  business  a  financial  success,  and 
promises  to  live  long  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  good  things  of  this 
world,  and  the  abundance  that  surrounds  him. 


O.  C.  EASTON. 

Mr.  Easton  is  a  native  of  Butler  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
born  August  17,  1829.  He  removed  to  Mason  county,  July,  1S56, 
and  engaged  in  the  business  of  house  and  sign  painting.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1S52,  he  married  Miss  Angia,  daughter  of  S.  R.  and  M. 
Pierce,  who  also  removed  to  Havana,  in  the  fall  of  1857.  After 
being  engaged  in  the  business  before  stated,  in  Havana,  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  he   received   the  appointment  of  Postmaster,  March 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I47 

i,  1865,  in  which  position  he  served  near  two  years,  and  was  re- 
appointed, after  the  office  had  another  occupant  for  the  brief  period 
of  seven  months.  He  also  served  as  city  clerk,  in  1S70.  After  a 
residence  in  this  city  of  many  years,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pierce  removed 
to  Waverly,  Nebraska.  Here,  Mrs.  Pierce  died,  June  11,  1S76, 
aged  seventy-five  years.  Mr.  Pierce  survives  her,  and  is  aged 
seventy-four  years. 

The  business  qualifications  of  Mr.  Easton  peculiarly  fit  him  for 
the  position  he  has  so  long  and  so  satisfactorily  filled.  We  have 
long  since  claimed  to  have  the  model  Postmaster,  whose  patience 
in  answering  unnecessary  questions  is  only  equaled  by  his  accom- 
modating disposition. 


THADEUS  WRIGHT 

Was  born  at  Deerfield,  Mass.,  in  1760,  and  died  at  Wright's 
Corners,  in  Niagara  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1847.  ^e  served  through- 
out the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  a  pensioner  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  was  but  seventeen  years  old  when  he  entered  the  army, 
and  was  tire  youngest  of  six  brothers,  who  all  enlisted  in  the  army 
of  the  revolution,  and  one  of  these  brothers  (Isaac)  was  a  member 
of  Washington's  Life  Guards.  Thadeus  was  the  father  of  George 
Wright,  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch. 


GEORGE  WRIGHT,  Esq. 

The  following  we  copy  from  Havana  Post  of  April  1,  1865: 

"Another  aged  and  respected  citizen  has  departed  'to  that  bourne 
from  whence  no  traveler  returns.'  The  subject  of  this  sketch, 
after  having  outlived  his  generation,  and  lived  his  day,  which  was 
protracted  longer  than  life  is  commonly  desirable,  died  of  typhoid 
pneumonia  at  his  residence  in  this  city,  on  the  28th  of  March,  1S65, 
aged  sixty-eight  years,  eleven  months  and  thirteen  days.  The 
death  of  the  aged,  unlike  that  of  the  young,  suggests  reflections 
that  are  usually  interesting,  whatever  may  have  been  the  sphere  of 
life  of  the  deceased.  The  comparative  length  of  the  journey 
he  has  traveled,  the  number  and  the  variety  of  the  vicisitudes  of  his 
life,  point  a  moral  that,  like  a  beacon  of  greater  or  less  brilliancy, 


14S  HISTORY  OF   MASON'    COUNTY 


should  serve  instead  of  experience  to  those  who  are  measurably  to 
follow  in  the  same  pathway. 

"The  subject  of  this  article  was  born  in  the  town  of  Deerfield, 
Mass.,  April  1  ^,  1796.  About  the  year  1801  the  family  moved  to 
Chittendon  county,  Vermont,  where  he  lived  till  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age.  At  this  time  our  country  was  at  war  with  England, 
and,  with  others  of  his  neighbors,  he  enlisted  in  the  regiment 
known  as  the 'Green  Mountain  Boys.'  We  are  not  farther  advised 
of  his  military  adventures  than  that  he  took  part  with  his  regiment 
in  the  battle  of  Plattsburgh,  and  continued  in  this  regiment  until 
it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service. 

"At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  he  emigrated  to  western  New 
York,  when,  in  1S24,  he  married  the  lady  who,  though  now  well 
stricken  in  years,  still  survives  him.  Here,  by  persevering  industrv, 
he  acquired  a  respectable  property,  but  afterwards  engaging  as  a 
contractor  on  the  Erie  canal,  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose,  through 
the  rascality  of  his  associates,  his  entire  propertv.  It  can  be  said, 
to  his  honor,  however,  that  he  paid  everv  farthing  of  his  indebted- 
ness, and  with  the  conscientious  satisfaction  that  he  owed  no  man, 
in  1S45  he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Fulton  county.  In 
1S49  he  moved  to  Havana,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Although 
he  has  taken  no  prominent  part  in  the  business  affairs  of  this  city, 
vet  he  has  constantly  been  identified  with  them,  and  his  fellow- 
citizens  have  frequently  testified  their  confidence  in  his  integrity 
and  conscientious  faithfulness  in  the  performance  of  every  duty  in- 
trusted to  him.  Mr.  Wright  was  one  of  the  oldest  A.  F.  and 
A.  M.  Masons  in  the  Lodge  at  this  city.  Having  been 
initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  that  sublime  order  at  the  age  of 
twentv-one  vears,  he  continued  faithful  to  its  obligations  till  the 
Grand  Master  above  called  him  from  labor  to  rest,  frequently  oc- 
cupying the  highest  offices  in  the  Lodge,  and  being  an  officer  of 
this  body  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  also  identified  with 
the  Morgan  trouble,  and  was  a  witness  in  the  legal  investigation 
made  by  Hon.  William  L.  Marcy,  of  Xew  York.  It  is  needless 
to  add  that  he  remained  faithful  to  the  order,  and  lived  to  be  grati- 
fied that  its  principles  had  triumphed  over  the  malignant  attacks  of 
its  enemies.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  the  lodge  in  this  citv  in 
a  body,  and  he  was  buried  with  the  ancient  ceremonies  peculiar  to 
the  order.  When  we  have  said  that  Mr.  Wright  was  a  good 
Mason,  we   have  said   everything  that  need  be   said  as  to  his  char- 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY.  I49 

acter.  His  frailties  were  such  as  to  be  easily  covered  by  the  mantle 
of  Christian  charity,  while  his  virtues,  which  were  many,  should 
be  entered  upon  perpetual  record." 

Over  twenty  years  ago  we  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  subject 
of  the  above  article,  and  gladly  endorse  the  very  full  and  impartial 
biography  there  given.  Now,  that  over  eleven  years  has  elapsed 
since  the  above  was  written,  we  will  add  further,  that  Mrs.  A.  T. 
Wright,  his  widow,  still  survives,  and,  though  far  advanced  in  years, 
'enjoys  unusual  health,  and  is  an  active  and  efficient  exemplary 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  a  society  that  has 
long  felt  her  influence  for  good. 


ORLANDO  H.  WRIGHT. 

Son  of  the  subjects  of  the  above,  was  born  at  Lockport,  N.  Y., 
April  22,  182S,  and  made  the  west  his  home  on  the  removal  here 
of  his  parents,  as  stated  above,  in  1849.  He  chose  the  profession 
of  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar;  his  license  bears  date  March 
1st,  1852,  and  bears  the  signatures  of  S.  H.  Treat  and  Lyman 
Trumbull.  Mr.  Wright  has  ever  been  noted  for  his  legal  abilities, 
sound  judgment,  and  has  inherited  from  his  parents  a  large  amount 
of  that  conscientious  integrity  that  has  so  eminently  marked  their 
lives ;  but  stand  clear  of  the  witticisms  that  are  in  inexhaustible  store 
in  his  fertile  brain.  He  was  united  in  marriage  Nov.  6,  1849,  with 
Miss  Harriet  M.  Parmelee,  and  an  interesting  family  now  adorns 
and  enlivens  their  present  home.  The  best  commentary  that 
can  be  made  on  the  business  and  legal  abilities  of  Mr.  Wright  is  to 
state  that  since  of  legal  age  he  has  been  in  the  service  of  the  town- 
ship, the  county  and  the  state,  as  a  justice  of  the  peace,  notary  pub- 
lic, county  school  commissioner,  etc.,  etc.;  all  filled  with  fidelity 
and  credit  to  himself  and  friends.  He  represented  his  county  in  the 
Constitutional  Convention  in  1S67,  and  was  an  active,  influential 
member  of  that  body,  which  gave  us  the  present  admirable  consti- 
tution, which  was  adopted  in  1870.  He  is  now  and  long  has  been 
city  attorney,  which,  like  all  other  positions  he  has  occupied,  is 
ably  and  creditably  filled. 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  record   him  socially   a  gentleman,  popular  and 
unassuming;  kind  and  courteous  to  all.     Independent  in  his  opin- 


150  HISTORY  OF  MASON"  COUNTY. 

ions,  with  due  deference  to  the  opinions  of  others,  with  prospects 
of  many  years  of  future  usefulness  in  the  community  in  which  he 
resides. 


HORACE  A.  WRIGHT,  Esq. 

Brother  of  O.  H.,  and  consequently  son  of  George  and  A.  T. 
Wright,  was  horn  at  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  April  14th,  1S39;  came  with 
his  parents  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1S47,  an<^  to  Havana  in  the 
spring  of  1849.  First  went  to  school  in  the  old  school  house  that 
stood  in  the  present  court  house  square.  Thomas  A.  Gibson,  now 
of  Forest  City,  then  teacher. 

Like  most  boys,  we  find  Mr.  H.  A.  Wright  prepared  to  do  and 
doing  such  things  as  presented  themselves  to  him.  In  1S55  we 
find  him  carrying  mails  to  the  town  of  Delavan  once  a  week, 
among  the  beautiful  prairies,  covered  with  corn  and  grass,  that  lie 
between  here  and  that  town.  In  1856  we  find  him  deputy  post- 
master in  Havana,  a  position  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish-on 
account  of  health.  In  1857  we  find  him  in  the  banking  house  of 
Messrs.  Rupert,  Haines  &  Co.,  in  this  city,  where  he  remained 
until  it  closed  in  1S60.  He  is  then  employed  as  deputy  circuit  clerk, 
in  which  position  he  has  been  such  an  indispensable  necessity  to  the 
business  of  the  office,  that  with  one  brief  intermission,  he  has  been 
permanently  engaged  there  to  the  present  time. 

On  July  3,  1S60,  he  married  Miss  Josephine  Parkhurst,  daughter 
of  Mr.  Winslow  Parkhurst  of  this  city.  A  bright,  intelligent  lit- 
tle family  have  grown  about  them  and  enliven  their  pleasant  home. 
A  long  personal  acquaintance  compels  us  to  record  him  a  prompt, 
upright,  capable  man,  of  strict  business  integrity,  and  a  pleasant, 
genial  gentleman.  Enjoying  good  health,  he  bids  fair  for  many 
years  of  usefulness  in  the  community  in  which  he  resides. 


ABEL  W.  KEMP. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  following  communication,  the  gentleman 
whose  name  is  above  was  an  early  inhabitant  and  an  old  citizen  of 
Mason  county,  and   very   prominently  identified  with  its   business 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


15I 


interests.     We  addressed  him  at  his  present  home,  Sparta,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  received  the  reply  copied  below: 

Sparta,  Wisconsin,  "June  26,  1876. 
J.  Cochrane,  Esq.: 

Dear  Sir  /—In  answer   to   yours  of  the    14th  inst.,  I  would 
say  that  I  was  away  from  home  when  yours  was  received,  as  an 
excuse  for  the  delay.     I  was  born  August  26,  1S02,  at  Fitchburgh 
Massachusetts,  and  removed  to  Havana  in  1835. 

For  any  further  information  I  send  you  an  address  given  at  my 
golden  wedding,  two  years  ago,  from  which  you  may  find  some- 
thing that  may  be  useful  to  you  in  getting  my  history. 

Yours  truly, 

A.  W.  Kemp. 

The  address  referred  to  above  is  so  good  that  we  will  give  it 
entire,  as  it  would  not  bear  abridgement: 

Remarks  of  W.  H.  Spencer,  at  the  Golden  Wedding  of 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kemp,  of  Sparta,  on  the  evening  of 

August  26th,  1874. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  Brothers  and  Sisters,  and  Friends,  all: 

Somewhat  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  a  young  man  in  Troy, 
New  York,  a  little  under  the  medium  size  perhaps,  with  blue  eyes, 
florid  complexion,  and  hair  the  color  of  Rufus  of  England,  might 
have  been  seen,  like  Roger  Sherman  or  President  Wilson,  when  a 
boy,  sitting  on  a  shoemaker's  bench,  plying  his  trade.  Perhaps,  if 
you  could  have  observed  the  young  man,  you  might  have  detected 
an  abstracted,  a  wandering  look  in  his  eyes,  while  he  drove  the  awl 
and  drew  the  stitches.  You  must  forgive  him  if  occasionally  he 
forgets  to  wax  the  thread,  or  tips  over  the  box  of  shoe  pegs,  or  fits 
the  heel  to  the  toe  of  the  boot,  for  he  is  thinking,  as  young  men  are 
wont  to  think,  that  it  is  not  good  to  be  alone,  and  his  thoughts  are 
away  in  sweet  communion  with  a  dark-eyed  maiden  of  17  summers, 
whom  he  believed  would  divide  his  sorrows  and  double  his  joys, 
would  fill  his  soul  with  perfect  peace,  and  his  home  with  light  and 
love.  The  thought  grew  upon  him;  haunted  him  day  and  night, 
until  he  said  to  himself,  I  must  have,  I  will  have  Sarah  Hagarty  for 
my  wife,  for  I  do  love  her  with  all  my  might,  mind  and  strength. 
How  this  young  man  managed  to  communicate  his  feelings  to  Miss 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


Sarah  is  not  a  matter  of  history.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  he  found 
some  means  of  telling  her  the  secret  of  his  heart,  as  young  men  are 
apt  to  do. 

But  the  course  of  true  love  does  not  always  run  smooth.  Sarah, 
like  Clara  Peggotty,  was  "willin',''  and  Abel,  like  Barkis,  was  anx- 
ious, but  one  day  when  Abel  mustered  up  courage  to  go  up  to 
Sarah's  father  and  say,  "Mr.  Hagarty,  I  love  your  daughter  .Sarah, 
may  I  have  her  for  my  wife?"  the  old  gentleman,  forgetting,  per- 
haps, that  he  was  once  a  boy,  or  for  some  reason  best  known  to 
himself,  replied,  "No!  not  as  long  as  th/s  sun  rises  in  the  East  can 
you  have  her!" 

Abel  had  no  notion  of  changing  the  course  of  the  sun  to  please 
the  old  man,  but  he  had  no  notion,  either,  of  giving  up  Sarah,  and 
as  Sarah  had  no  notion  of  giving  up  Abel,  Sarah  and  Abel  private- 
ly resolved  to  give  up  the  whole  world,  if  necessary,  rather  than 
give  up  each  other.  The  result  was  that  Sarah's  father  was  not 
invited  to  a  certain  wedding  which  took  place  just  fifty  years  ago 
this  very  day,  at  the  house  of  one  of  Sarah's  married  sisters  in 
Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  where  the  name  of  Sarah  Hagarty  was 
changed  to  Sarah  Kemp,  and  Abel  Wheeler  Kemp  and  Sarah 
Kemp  have  proved  that  their  love  was  true,  for  since  they  clasped 
hands  and  vowed  to  love  each  other  and  live  together,  a  half  cen- 
tury has  rolled  round,  and  still  the  bond  of  union  is  unbroken,  yea 
stronger,  than  when  first  knit,  fifty  years  ago.  It  is  in  honor  of 
this  fact  that  we  come,  a  band  of  brothers  and  sisters,  to  offer  this 
semi-century  couple  our  hearty  congratulations,  with  our  hopes 
that  many  more  years  may  see  that  bond  unbroken. 

And  the  twain,  when  made  one,  started  out  in  life.  I  believe 
they  lived  for  a  short  time  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  afterwards  at 
Watertown,  in  the  same  State.  He  followed  the  trade  of  shoe- 
maker, at  which  he  had  served  an  apprenticeship  of  seven  years. 
History  does  not  inform  us  what  kind  of  shoes  he  made.  If  his 
leather  was  as  sound  as  his  religion,  I  think  his  customers  never 
grumbled  of  pasteboard  stiffening,  pan-cake  inner  soles  and  split- 
leather  uppers,  sold  for  best  quality  French  calf.  A  sound  religion 
cannot  possibly  make  and  sell  shoddy  shoes  for  A  No.  i.  As  Mr. 
Kemp  attends  the  services  of  the  First  Independent  Societv  of  this 
place,  of  course,  we  must  believe  that  he  always  did  turn  off  first- 
class  work. 


HISTORY  OF   MASON   COUNTY.  I  53 

But  the  wife,  in  the  meantime,  was  proving  herself  a  valuable 
help-mate,  for  her  deft  fingers  and  good  taste  applied  themselves 
to  millinery  work  in  a  shop  of  her  own,  and  thus  she  added  her 
shilling  to  his,  until  shillings  made  dollars,  and  dollars  made  hun- 
dreds. 

In  this  place  four  children  was  born  to  them — James  and  Daniel, 
living  in  Minnesota,  both  present  on  this  occasion;  Mary,  now 
Mrs.  Simpson,  and  another  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who  died  in  Illi- 
nois. 

In  1833  Mr.  Kemp  and  family  left  Watertown  and  went  to 
Canada,  thence  moving,  in  1S35,  *°  Illinois,  on  to  a  farm  in  the 
bottom  lands  of  the  Sangamon  river,  near  Havana,  Mason  county. 

In  those  times  it  wras  very  fashionable  to  get  the  ague  and  keep 
it,  and  so  Mr.  Kemp's  family,  one  and  all,  immediately  joined  the 
company  of  shakers,  and  we  are  told  that  their  faces  were  of  the 
color  of  lemon  peel,  and  their  teeth  did  chatter,  chatter,  as  unceas- 
ingly as  old  Goody  Blake's,  in  the  melancholy  cynic  poem.  There 
were  no  doctors  in  the  neighborhood,  which,  perhaps,  accounts  for 
the  fact  that  they  all  survived  the  shakes.  In  one  respect,  how- 
ever, this  family  did  not  follow  the  fashions,  for  at  that  time,  when 
the  houses  were  all  made  of  logs,  and  windows  were  holes  in  the 
wall,  perfectly  innocent  of  glass,  what  did  this  Mr.  Kemp  do  but 
fly  right  in  the  face  of  public  opinion  by  purchasing  four  panes  of 
glass  and  putting  them  in  the  aforesaid  holes  in  the  wall.  Is  it 
any  wonder  that  his  humble  neighbors  pronounced  it  one  of  the 
vanities  of  civilization,  and  looked  upon  his  house  as  a  proud  man's 
castle,  and  upbraided  them  as  being  wickedly  extravagant,  "big 
feelin,' "  and  "sort  o'  stuck  up  like?"  After  viewing  this  case  on  all 
sides,  I  am,  however,  disposed  to  acquit  Mr.  Kemp  of  all  shame  or 
blame,  from  what  I  know  of  the  vanity  of  women,  it  is  my  deliber- 
ate conviction  that  Mrs.  Kemp  herself  was  at  the  bottom  of  that 
extravagant  idea  of  getting  glass  for  the  windows,  and  I  dare  say, 
if  you  could  have  looked  inside  the  house  you  might  have  detected 
other  similar  innovations  on  the  customs  of  her  green-eyed  neigh- 
bors. 

On  this  farm  they  had  a  hard  time  of  it.  I  believe  that  he 
worked  at  his  trade  a  part  of  the  time  and  worked  on  the  farm  the 
remainder.  But  working  at  anything,  with  ague  fits  and  fevers 
alternating,  was  extremely  discouraging.  As  they  had  no  wagons, 
everything  must  be  hauled  on  sleds,  even  in  summer  time.  Flour 
— 20 


154  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

must  be  brought  from  St.  Louis  at  great  expense,  and  all  kinds  of 
groceries  was  so  dear,  that  the  cost  of  supporting  a  large  family 
there  ate  a  big  hole  in  the  sack  of  earnings  stored  away. 

There  is  one  bright  oasis  in  this  desert  time  that  I  must  call  at- 
tention to.  However  much  the  ague  shook  them,  we  may  offer 
laus  Deo  that  it  did  not  shake  the  religion  out  of  them.  As  proof 
of  this,  I  may  adduce  this  fact,  that  one  time  while  here  Mrs. 
Kemp,  and  I  think,  Mr.  Kemp,  also,  went  ten  miles  to  a  camp 
meeting,  and  that,  too,  riding  after  an  ox  team.  Now,  a  man  or 
woman  who  will  do  that  will  unquestionably  be  saved.  They 
might  have  walked,  no  doubt,  but  for  the  sake  of  religion  they 
were  willing  to  sacrifice  ease  and  comfort,  and  ride. 

Happy  the  day  when  they  decided  to  quit  this  ague  farm.  It 
happened  in  this  wise.  Mr.  Kemp  was  preparing  to  build  a  new 
house  on  the  old  ground,  determined,  apparently,  to  fight  it  out  on 
that  line,  if  he  shook  all  his  life.  But  when  the  foundation  was 
laid  Mrs.  Kemp  came  to  look  at  it,  and  it  seemed  to  her  that  she- 
was  looking  at  her  grave.  With  sallow  face  and  chattering  teeth, 
she  admonished  him  that  she  could  not  survive  another  year  on  that 
old,  billious  farm,  and  begged  him  to  kick  the  dust  of  it  off  his 
feet,  and  pitch  his  tent  where  she  should  direct.  Like  a  good, 
obedient  husband,  he  did  just  what  he  ought  to  have  done — he  left 
his  farm  and  saved  his  wife;  he  followed  where  she  led. 

Riding  over  the  prairie  several  miles  from  the  site  of  the  first 
farm,  she  pointed  to  a  spot,  and  said:  "There,  Abel,  is  where  I 
want  my  house."  He  alighted  and  drove  a  stake  there,  bought 
the  land  of  the  government,  and  built  his  house  on  the  very  spot, 
in  the  midst  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  rich  soil.  From 
that  day  the  ebbing  tide  in  his  fortune  stopped,  and  the  flow  set  in. 
Health,  that  had  been  so  long  a  stranger,  returned,  and  prosper! tv 
smiled  upon  them.  The  moral  is,  be  sure  you  get  a  wife  of  sound 
Judgment^  and  then  i/nfilicity  obey  her. 

After  remaining  several  years  on  this  farm,  he  moved  into  the 
little  village  of  Havana,  where  he  kept  a  hardware  store  in  connec- 
tion with  a  foundry.  I  believe  it  was  here  that  he  was  first  made 
justice  of  the  peace.  While  holding  this  office  it  docs  not  appear 
from  the  records  (so  far  as  I  have  examined  them)  that  he  ever  ac- 
cepted any  bribe,  or  was  engaged  in  any  "ring"  speculations,  in 
which  respect  he  departed  from  the  custom  of  many  in  these  latter 
days. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1 55 

While  in  Illinois,  N.J.  Kemp  and  Frances  (now  Mrs.  John  M. 
Palmer)  were  born,  making  in  all  eight  children,  three  of  whom 
are  not  living,  John,  Elizabeth  and  Sarah,  all  of  whom  died  in 
Illinois. 

In  1865,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kemp  came  on  a  visit  to  their  children, 
(Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson)  in  this  place,  and  very  naturally  fell  in 
love  with  our  beautiful  village,  and  decided  to  make  it  their  future 
home.  Here  they  moved,  and  for  nine  years  have  lived,  surround- 
ed by  affectionate  children  and  a  host  of  friends. 

In  religious  belief,  Mr.  Kemp  and  wife  are  Universalists,  and  for 
many  vears  have  been  constant  readers  of  the  New  Covenant,  but 
as  they  are  unsectarian,  every  liberal  movement  in  religion  receives 
their  sympathy,  by  whatever  name  it  may  be  called,  while  their 
charity  is  broad  enough  to  love  and  receive  the  truth  which  dwells 
in  all  faiths. 

Mr.  Kemp  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  for  twenty-five 
years.  He  is  therefore  a  veteran  in  our  ranks — the  patriarch  of 
the  family.  No  one  is  more  regular  in  attendance  at  the  lodge 
than  he,  and  this  week  he  has  shown  his  interest  as  well  as  physi- 
cal vigor,  by  riding  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  to  attend  the  funeral  of 
a  brother. 

If  he  enjoys  the  social  intercourse  and  hearty  hand-shakes  which 
he  receives  there,  let  him  be  assured  that  every  member  of  that 
lodee  feels  a  welcome  in  his  heart  whenever  the  white  hairs  crown- 
ing  the  venerable  form  of  Father  Kemp,  are  seen  entering  the  old 
lodge  room.     May  he  long  live  to  be  welcomed  there  ! 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ke?tip  : 

Dear  Friends — One  word  to  you  and  I  am  done.  Fifty 
years,  with  winged  feet,  have  glided  by  since  you,  a  young  man  of 
twenty-two,  and  you,  a  maiden  of  seventeen,  clasped  each  others 
hands,  and  with  hearts  full  of  love,  vowed  to  live  in  love  together 
till  death  should  sever  you.  Nobly  and  well  have  you  kept  your 
troth.  We  honor  you  for  it.  In  the  sunshine  of  prosperity  you 
have  rejoiced  together.  When  sorrow  has  come  with  her  heavy 
clouds,  you  have  bowed  your  heads  and  wept  together.  When 
hard  trials  have  borne  down  heavily  upon  you,  you  have  not  des- 
paired nor  deserted,  but  resolutely  joined  hands  and  struggled  uni- 
tedly against  them  until  the  storm  has  past.  When  sickness  has 
cast  its  shadow  over  your  household,  and  death  its  deeper  shadow, 


I  56  HISTORY   OF    MASON   COUNTY. 


we  have  seen  you  mingling  your  tears  in  the  shadow  of  a  common 
sorrow.  For  fifty  long  years  you  have  been  faithful,  fond  and  true 
to  each  other  as  you  promised  to  he  fifty  years  ago  to-day.  For 
your  fidelity  and  devotion  we  honor — from  our  deepest  hearts  we 
honor  you.     And  more,  we  congratulate  you. 

It  is  true  that  three  of  your  children  dear,  have  fallen  out  of  the 
ranks,  grown  weary  in  the  march  of  life,  but  you  have  still  five 
remaining,  who  are  to  you  all  that  sons  and  daughters  could  be. 

Around  you  cluster  children  and  grandchildren,  and  even  four 
great-grandchildren  have  already  risen  up  to  call  you  blessed.  To 
very  few  of  Earth's  children  is  granted  such  a  rich  inheritance. 
May  your  hearts  be  thankful  to  the  Great  Giver  of  all,  that  the 
evening  of  your  lives  is  made  radient  with  so  much  domestic  hap- 
piness, filial  affection,  social  respect  and  esteem.  We  honor  and 
congratulate  you  on  this  fiftieth  anniversary  of  your  wedding,  and 
as  a  token  of  our  esteem  for  you  as  a  man  of  integrity,  our  respect 
for  you  as  an  honorable  citizen,  our  affection  for  you  as  a  brother,  a 
long-tried,  true,  trusty  and  faithful  Odd  Fellow,  allow  me,  in  be- 
half of  many  members  of  our  order  here,  to  present  you  this 
cane. 

Let  its  golden  head  symbolize  the  fifty  golden  years  that  crown 
your  golden  life,  so  full  of  honor  and  joy.  It  is  a  staff  which  you 
may  lean  upon,  not  as  a  broken  reed,  but  a  staff  as  strong  as  the 
love  of  your  friends,  which  will  ever  bear  you  up  as  you  walk 
through  your  declining  years. 

And  to  you,  Mrs.  Kemp,  in  congratulation  of  this  event,  and  as 
a  little  token  of  their  esteem,  the  daughters  of  Rebecca,  through 
me,  present  this  silver  cup,  gold  lined,  and  other  friends  present  this 
gold  watch. 

And  now,  dear  friends,  may  this  only  be  a  joyful  surprise  to  you. 
May  you  still  live  long  to  enjoy  the  life  that  began  fifty  years  ago, 
and  the  society  of  your  many  friends,  many  of  whom  are  here 
met  to-night  to  rejoice  with  you,  and  when  at  last  the  summons  is 
heard — "Come  up  higher'1 — may  you  hear  it  calmly,  trustinglv, 
and  obey  it  as  cheerfully  as 

"One  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch  about  him, 
And  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1 57 

The  following  extract  from  the  Bellevue  Local  JVexvs,  published 
at  Bellevue,  Ohio,  refers  to  the  family  of  the  writer's  father,  and  as 
the  paper  is  published  at  the  old  home  of  the  family,  is  intended 
only  as  local  information,  but  is  equally  appropriate  in  the  Bio- 
graphical department  of  this  work : 

CHAT  ABOUT  THE  OLD  FOLKS. 

THE    COCHRANE    FAMILY. 

Joseph  Cochrane,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
April  u,  1S71.  His  father,  Alexander  Cochrane,  emigrated  from 
Ireland  when  quite  young,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Mifflin  county, 
where  he  lived  and  died,  raising  a  family  of  12  children.  Joseph, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  next  to  the  youngest,  and  by  an 
arbitrary  and  eccentric  will  of  his  father,  he  became  the  owner  of 
the  old  homestead,  and  in  the  same  house  raised  a  family  of  ten 
chilren. 

About  1S27,  he  sold  the  old  homestead  and  moved  to  Dry  valley, 
in  the  same  county.  After  a  residence  there  of  seven  years,  the 
last  three  of  which  were  spent  in  western  travel  in  the  pursuit  of 
health,  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Seneca  county,  Ohio.  Bought 
a  farm  of  Job  Wright,  on  the  Kilbourne  road,  four  miles  from 
Bellevue,  and  moved  his  family  there  about  1834. 

Elizabeth  Hooven,  his  wife,  was  born  in  central  Pennsylvania, 
near  Carlisle,  April  8th,  17S5,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  was  mar- 
ried to  James  Campbell.  By  him  she  had  two  children,  one  of 
whom  died  in  infancy,  and  Mary  Jane,  born  December  6,  1806,  of 
whom  we  shall  speak  hereafter.  Mr.  Campbell  died  in  1806  or 
1807,  and  in  1808  she  married  Mr.  Cochrane. 

They  lived  together  twenty-eight  years,  and  had  ten  children — 
six  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mr.  Cochrane  died  of  pulmonary 
consumption,  August  4,  1836,  on  the  old  farm,  and  was  buried  in 
the  cemetery  of  the  old  German  Reformed  church  in  Thompson. 

He  was  a  man  of  good  business  ability  and  great  mental  vigor, 
and  he  held  many  important  and  responsible  official  positions  be- 
fore his  removal  to  the  west.  These  he  always  filled  with  fidelity 
and  credit  to  himself  and  friends.  An  army  commission  from  old 
Governor  Simon  Snyder,  dated  August  1,  1S14,  and  a  post-master's 
commission  from  Amos  Kendall,  dated  September  1,  1835,  are  now 
in  the  possession  of  the  writer,    neatly  framed  and  standing  on  a 


I5S  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

hall  table — cherished  relics.  He  was  self-educated,  never  attended 
school  three  months  in  his  life.  This  he  always  spoke  of  as  his 
misfortune  and  not  his  boast.  He  was  set  and  determined  in  his 
opinions,  which  were  only  liable  to  be  changed  when  his  judgment 
was  convinced. 

A  kind  and  accommodating  neighbor,  generous  to  a  fault,  impul- 
sive and  sometimes  hasty,  watchful  as  to  the  wants  of  the  poor, 
whom  it  seemed  his  delight  to  favor.  This  description  we  believe 
has  the  merit  of  candor. 

Elizabeth,  his  wife,  was  a  model  woman,  as  wife,  mother,  friend 
and  neighbor.  The  ruling  element  of  her  nature  was  kindness. 
In  her  prime  of  life,  she  possessed  a  vigorous,  robust  organization, 
and  almost  always  enjoyed  excellent  health.  She  was  a  model  of 
good,  cheerful,  healthful  country  life.  "Her  children  shall  rise  up 
and  call  her  blessed."  She  never  knew  what  an  enemy  was.  It 
might  be  asked  if  she  had  no  faults.  She  had:  they  were  exces- 
sive  kindness  and  charity  for  all  God's  creatures.  "All  her  failings 
leaned  on  virtue's  side."  A  deep,  religious'  feeling  pervaded  her 
entire  life. 

She  died  March  7,  1S46,  at  Fremont,  Ohio,  and  was  buried  in 
Thompson  beside  her  husband.  She  died  as  she  lived,  as  calmly, 
sweetly  and  peacefully  as  an  infant  goes  to  sleep.  No  pain,  no 
disease;  but  that  vigorous  frame  was  worn  out,  and  gradually  gave 
way,  and  her  spirit  returned  to  God  who  gave  it.  Mary  Jane, 
her  daughter  by  her  first  husband,  resides  in  Jefferson  county,  Pa., 
the  wife  of  Robert  Witherow;  is  70  years  of  age,  and  resembles 
her  mother,  not  only  in  kindness  and  amiability  of  disposition,  but 
also  in  personal  appearance.  She  has  seven  children,  two  sons  and 
five  daughters,  also  several  grand  children.  Her  husband  is  eight 
years  her  senior.  Both  have  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  models  of 
rectitude,  and  "all  of  the  days  of  their  appointed  time  will  they 
wait  till  their  change  come."  All  their  descendants  reside  in  their 
immediate  vicinity. 

Nancy,  the  oldest  of  the  family  by  the  second  marriage,  married 
Rudolph  Sherck,  an  old-time  fanner  in  Thompson  township.  She 
had  several  sons  and  one  daughter.  They  removed  to  Michigan, 
manv  years  ago,  and  a  singular  fatality  has  attended  the  family. 
She  died  in  1864,  and  all  the  family  are  now  dead,  I  believe,  but  two 
sons,  who  reside  in  Michigan. 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


1 59 


Thomas,  the  oldest  son,  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Clark,  a  Thompson  farmer,  and  removed  to  Monroe  county,  Mich- 
igan, had  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  went  to  Oregon  in 
1850,  and  a  few  years  later  sent  back  for  his  family,  who  made  the 
journey  to  him  by  water  in  1853.  The  now  reside  at  Amity,  Yam- 
hill county,  Oregon.  He  is  now  65  years  old,  hale  and  hearty. 
He  and  his  wife  returned  for  a  visit  for  the  first  time  in  1S75,  after 
an  absence  of  twenty-five  years,  and  spent  the  summer  among  his 
friends  East,  returning  in  the  fall.  Their  youngest  son  resides  in 
San  Jose,  California. 

Rosanna  married  Samuel  P.  Clark,  a  brother  of  Thomas's  wife, 
and  has  a  family  of  fine  daughters.  They  enjoy  this  world's  ways 
of  wagging  along  on  a  farm  in  Monroe  county,  Michigan,  raising 
fine  horses,  cattle  and  sheep,  and  big  apples.     Her  age  is  63. 

Elizabeth  married  Philip,  son  of  John  Miller,  an  old  resident  on 
a  farm  south  of  Bellevue.  She  now  resides  with  her  son  James  B. 
Miller,  Esq.,  in  Bellevue.  Philip  Miller  died  at  Flat  Rock,  Ohio, 
January  15,  1874.  The  old  farm  in  Thompson  is  occupied  by 
Mary,  her  only  daughter,  who  is  married  to  Henry  Zeiber. 

Catharine  married  George  Gear,  of  Fostoria,  Ohio,  but  during 
recent  years  has  resided  in  Findlay,  Ohio.  The  war  made  sad 
havoc  with  her  family  as  with  that  of  Mrs.  Sherck.  Our  inform- 
ation in  regard  to  them  is  not  complete,  but  a  son  and  two  or  three 
daughters  comprise  the  family. 

William  A.  is  an  old  settler  in  Fremont,  Ohio.  After  the  death 
of  his  father,  in  1S36,  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade  with  Benja- 
min Moore,  in  Bellevue,  and  then  went  to  Fremont,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  married  Mrs.  P.  Smith,  in  1846,  and  has  three 
children — Henry,  Frank  and  Rosa.  He  is  now  56  years  old,  but 
time's  hand  has  touched  him  very  gently.  He  is  so  very  fortu- 
nately balanced  that  he  will  neither  wear  out  nor  rust  out,  but  bids 
fair  to  see  many  more  years. 

Samuel,  the  next  son,  died  in  infancy,  before  the  family  left 
Pennsylvania. 

Joseph,  named  after  his  father,  was  sometime  in  the  employ  of 
Harkness  and  McKee,  in  Bellevue,  but  went  to  Fremont,  where, 
in  1S46,  he  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Rev.  Frederick  Rahouser, 
pastor  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  in  Thompson,  adjoining 
the  old  farm,  and  where  the  parents  are  buried.  From  there  he 
moved  to  Tiffin,  Ohio.     In  the  spring  of  1856  he  removed  to  Ha- 


l6o  HISTORY  OF   MASON   COUNTY. 


vana,  Illinois,  where  he  has  since  resided.  They  had  a  daughter 
and  two  sons,  and  have  six  grandchildren.  The  daughter  married 
O.  C.  Town,  an  extensive  jeweler  in  that  city.  The  oldest  son  is 
also  married,  and  both  reside  adjoining  their  parents'  home.  The 
youngest  son  has  been  for  nearly  four  years  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and 
during  three  years  was  cashier  of  the  Franklin  Bank,  of  that  city, 
and  is  now  in  the  employ  of  Jones  &  Laughlin,  the  most  extensive 
iron  workers  in  the  United  States.  Joseph  is  now  fifty-one  years 
old.  The  productions  of  his  pen  are  extensively  circulated  by  the 
Illinois  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  and  the  Illinois  Horticultural 
Society.  For  six  years  he  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Signal 
Service,  and  was  assigned  the  work,  by  Prof.  Henry,  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institute,  of  ascertaining  the  height  above  sea  of  the  princi- 
pal points  in  Central  Illinois.  His  tastes  have  ever  inclined  him  to 
scientific  pursuits.  He  was  educated  in  and  graduated  at  the  old 
log  school  house  near  Decker's,  in  Thompson,  at  the  age  of  eleven 
years. 

John  R.  is  aged  forty-eight  years,  and  resides  at  Laporte,  Indiana. 
He  married  Miss  Francis  Young,  a  daughte'r  of  Rev.  Mr.  Young, 
a  missionary  to  Iceland,  where  Francis  was  born.  They  have  five 
children  living.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade  with  David  Moore 
in  Bellevue.  His  wife  possesses  remarkable  musical  talents,  as  do 
also  the  daughters.  As  is  the  case  of  William  and  Joseph,  so  with 
John  R.,  he  refuses  to  grow  old  as  the  years  roll  by. 

Henry  H.,  the  youngest  son,  died  in  Thompson,  December  12, 
1846,  aged  fifteen  years.  His  remains  sleep  by  his  parents  in  the 
old  church  yard.  Plain  slabs  of  Italian  marble  mark  the  resting 
place  of  those  three  as  they  "await  the  final  summons. 

This  family  have  long  been  separated.  Mrs.  Witherow  and 
Joseph  did  not  meet  for  forty  years.  Thomas  and  Joseph  have  not 
met  for  thirty-two  years.  In  two  other  cases  almost  equal  time 
has  elapsed  since  members  of  the  family  have  met. 

Spectator. 


ISAAC  NEWTON  MITCHELL. 

Mr.  Mitchell  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  February  13, 
1829.  His  parents  removed  to  that  county  from  Kentucky  in  1828, 
at   which  time  Central  Illinois  was   almost  in  a  state   of  nature. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  l6l 

Here  he  resided  until  the  age  of  seventeen,  when  the  family  re- 
moved to  Field's  prairie  in  this  county,  where  he  continued  at  work 
on  the  farm  for  four  years  more,  or  until  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
He  then  went  to  Bath,  and  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Beesley  until 
1S50,  and  with  Messrs.  Beesley  &  Gatton  until  1861.  He  served 
one  year  as  constable,  and  two  years  were  spent  steamboating  on 
the  Illinois  river. 

In  1867  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  Mason  county,  and  in  1869 
was  elected  county  clerk,  in  which  position  he  served  four  years. 
He  was  elected  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Havana  in  1875,  and  is  the 
present  incumbent  during  this  centennial  year. 

He  is  also  school  director,  and  with  his  associates  on  that  impor- 
tant board,  Messrs.  J.  Wheeler  and  J.  R.  Foster,  have  erected  our 
splendid  new  school  edifice  in  this  city,  and  advanced  our  schools 
to  their  present  high  state  of  perfection,  of  which  we  shall  speak 
under  another  heading. 

In  1S56  he  married  Miss  A.  L.  Campbell,  daughter  of  P.  W. 
Campbell,  and  consequently  sister  of  Hon.  G.  H.  Campbell,  of  Ma- 
son City,  of  whom  we  treat  on  another  page.  On  the  business 
abilities  of  Mr.  Mitchell  it  is  useless  to  comment.  The  people  of 
Mason  county  and  of  the  city  of  Havana  have  put  on  record  a 
most  weighty  and  tangible  proof  of  the  estimation  in  which  his 
qualifications  in  this  respect  are  held,  by  the  positions  they  have 
given  him.  Nor  was  these  offices  given  him,  a  stranger  and  un- 
known, but  because  he  was  known,  and  from  his  boyhood's  days 
had  been  with  us. 

Faithful  and  reliable  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  of  healthful,  ro- 
bust constitution,  he  bids  fair  for  more  extended  usefulness  in  the 
county  and  in  the  city  where  he  resides. 


JAMES  F.  KELSEY. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  biography  was  born  in  Yates  county, 
New  York,  in  the  year  1830;  came  west  to  "grow  up  with  the 
country"  in  1855,  and  how  well  he  has  succeeded  in  that  enterprise 
the  facts  of  his  history  will  best  present  to  the  reader.  On  his  arri- 
val in  this  county,  a  young  man  with  limited  means,  aside  from  his 
own  energies  and  business  abilities,  he  went  into  the  service  of 
George   N.    Walker,  then   the   largest   grain  dealer   and    heaviest 


-21 


\62  HISTORY  OF   MASON    COUNTY. 


dealer  in  general  merchandise  on  the  Illinois  river  between  Peo- 
ria and  St.  Louis.  Here  he  remained  for  some  years,  discharging 
his  duties  faithfully  and  well,  as  has  ever  been  his  invariable  rule 
of  business.  By  judicious  investments,  made  with  rare  judgment, 
a  fine  property  was  accumulated.  In  1S62  he  became  identified 
with  the  Peoria,  Pekin  and  Jacksonville  Railroad,  and  for  the  past 
fourteen  years,  with  a  brief  furlough  required  by  his  private  inter- 
ests, has  that  important  corporate  body  been  indebted  to  his  rare 
judgment,  promptness  and  business  tact  for  successful  superintend- 
ence. The  superintendent  of  the  machinery  department  of  this 
road,  who  is  a  most  experienced  and  competent  engineer,  some 
years  ago  made  to  the  writer  the  remark  "that  Mr.  Kelsey  was  the 
best  general  railroad  superintendent  he  had  ever  seen;  that  his 
orders  were  promptly  given,  always  right,  and  never  cou?itcrmand- 
edP  As  before  stated,  it  was  some  years  ago  that  this  remark 
was  made.  A  few  weeks  since  in  a  conversation  with  the  same 
engineer,  we  referred  him  to  his  former  remark,  and  asked  his  per- 
mission to  use  it  here.  He  gave  us  the  privilege  of  doing  so,  with 
his  re-affirmation  of  it. 

Mr.  Kelsey  has  for  several  terms  been  a  member  of  the  county 
board  of  supervisors,  a  body  whose  deliberations  have  been  bene- 
fitted by  his  presence. 


thomas  Mccarty. 

Mr.  McCarty,  the  subject  of  these  notes,  is  a  native  of  Cham- 
paign county,  Ohio,  being  born  there  in  1S23.  He  came  to  Mason 
county  in  1837,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  thereof,  engaged  in 
farming,  which  with  him  has  been  a  great  financial  success.  He 
began  with  one  horse  and  a  barshire  plow,  and  from  this  small  be- 
ginning, with  economy  and  industry,  he  has  risen  to  his  present  af- 
fluent circumstances. 

In  1844,  he  married  Miss  Malinda  Wilcox,  and  together  for  all 
these  years  they  have  made  the  journey  of  life.  They  reside  in 
Mason  City,  retired  from  the  anxieties  and  the  cares  of  business 
on  the  fruits  of  their  industry  of  former  years. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  163 


J.  R.  STONE, 

Born  in  Green  county,  Penn.,  Sept.  12,  1822.  His  parents 
moved  to  Ohio,  in  1S30,  and  from  there  to  Illinois,  in  1845,  an<^  se^" 
tied  at  Quincy.  From  there  to  Mason  county,  in  1875.  Mr. 
Stone  is  a  blacksmith  by  occupation,  and  has  recently  applied  for  a 
patent  on  a  very  simple  but  useful  invention,  viz:  an  improved 
steel  plow-point.  In  1869,  he  married  Mrs.  N.  C.  Crafton,  of  Mt. 
Sterling,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Stone  is  doing  a  lucrative  business  in  his  line,  at  Topeka,  in 
this  county,  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  that  town. 


JOHN  H.  NETLER. 

Mr.  Netler  was  born  in  1801,  in  Hanover,  Germany,  came  to 
America,  in  August,  1832,  and  first  landed  at  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
but  finally  settled  in  New  Orleans.  He  became  a  resident  of 
Mason  county,  in  1835,  and  returned  to  New  Orleans,  in  1836,  and 
married  Miss  M.  Speckman.  They  had  six  children;  among  them 
we  best  know  Henry,  the  proprietor  of  the  old  homestead,  south  of 
Havana.  Mr.  Netler  was  one  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  assistants  in  his 
earl 3'  surveys  of  Mason  county;  his  education  was  of  a  high  order, 
being  a  professional  teacher,  in  Europe,  before  his  emigration  to 
this  country.  During  his  residence  in  New  Orleans,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  blacksmithing,  and  in  Mason  county,  in  farming.  All  his 
undertakings  and  investments  were  financial  successes,  and  he  died 
quite  wealthy.  He  died  Dec.  4,  1863;  his  wife  died  some  years 
previous.  Mr.  Netler's  wealth  and  judgment  gave  him  an  ex- 
tended influence  in  the  community,  which  was  always  on  the  side 
of  good. 


edward  Mccarty. 

Edward  McCarty  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  July  17, 
18 1 3,  where  his  parents  were  residents  at  an  early  day,  and  where 
his  father  died,  in  1829,  his  wife  surviving  him,  and  coming  to  Illi- 
nois, in  1S44,  with  Edward,  and  died   at  their  home,  near  Forest 


164  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

City,  in  June,  1846.  When  he  settled  in  Mason  county,  as  above 
stated,  he  engaged  in  the  business  of  farming,  his  lifelong  occupa- 
tion. 

He  was  married,  in  1862,  to  Miss  Jemima  Norman,  and  had  four 
children.  The  life  of  Mr.  McCarty  has  not  been  all  sunshine,  or 
all  shade,  but  varied  with  the  vicissitudes  incident  to  this  world's 
changes. 


*e>" 


"A  life  of  labor  was  his  lot; 
He  always  tried  to  do  his  best." 

Industrious,  honest,  and  upright,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  his 
fellow-men,  he  is  now  looking  back  on  a  life  of  duties  done.  He 
has  for  some  years  past  been  a  resident  of  Pekin,  Illinois. 


ROBERT  PEARSON. 

Mr.  Pearson  was  born  in  England,  April  20,  1834,  and  emigrated 
to  America,  in  1S38,  and  at  that  time  made'  the  southern  part  of 
Mason  county  his  home,  and  there  he  has  ever  since  resided,  a  sub- 
stantial member  of  societv  and  of  the  communitv  in  which  he  re- 
sides.  In  1863  he  married  Mary  Fletcher,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Fletcher,  now  of  Champaign,  Illinois.  Three  interesting  children, 
the  result  of  this  union,  enliven  their  pleasant  home.  Although 
Mr.  Pearson's  tastes  and  his  inclinations  would  incline  him  strictly 
and  exclusively  to  the  cares  of  his  farm,  his  neighbors'  appreciation 
of  his  business  ability  and  his  judgment,  have  called  him  at  vari- 
ous times  to  serve  them  as  road  commissioner,  school  trustee,  and 
member  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  which  latter  position  he  has 
been  elected  to  three  terms,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

His  position  in  the  community  needs  no  further  commentary  than 
a  reference  to  these  official  positions,  so  frequently  and  so  unani- 
mously given  him,  unasked  for — the  spontaneous  expression  of 
his  neighbors'  confidence  in  his  abilities  and  worth. 


JOSEPH  ADKINS. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  sketch  was  born  in  east  Tennessee,  in 
181 2,  and  removed  to  Illinois,  in  1833,  and  settled  in  Morgan 
county,  where  he  resided  four  years,  and  then  removed  to  his  pres- 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  165 

ent  place  of  residence  in  1837,  which  makes  him  one  of  the  very 
early  settlers  of  this  region,  and  four  years  before  the  organization 
of  Mason  county.  He  engaged  in  farming  and  merchandizing, 
and  after  the  construction  of  the  Peoria,  Pekin  &  Jacksonville  rail- 
road, he  laid  out  the  town  of  Saidora,  and  built  a  commodious 
warehouse,  and  in  addition  to  his  other  occupations,  has  added  quite 
an  extensive  grain  trade.  Mr.  Adkins  was  first  married  in  1S31, 
two  years  before  his  removal  to  the  west,  and  again,  in  1845,  an<^  a 
third  marriage,  in  1S65,  to  his  present  companion. 

Like  all  substantial  citizens,  Mr.  Adkins  has  served  his  share  as 
township  and  school  official,  and  now,  as  the  hand  of  time  begins 
to  bear  slightly  on  his  once  vigorous  organism,  he  has,  in  a  great 
measure,  relinquished  business  affairs  to  the  management  of  his 
sons,  who  are  entirely  competent  for  the  trust  imposed. 


BENJAMIN  H.  GATTON. 

Mr.  Gatton  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1808,  and  with  his  parents 
removed  to  Morgan  county,  (now  Cass),  Illinois,  in  1824.  For  an 
idea  of  the  homes  and  surroundings  of  the  settlers  of  Central  Illi- 
nois, fifty-two  yeai's  ago,  we  refer  the  reader  to  the  "Sketch  of  the 
Early  History  of  Illinois,"  in  another  part  of  this  book.  From 
Morgan  he  removed  to  Mason  county,  May  1,  1841.  His  business 
has  been,  dealer  in  grain  and  general  merchandise,  at  the  village  of 
Bath,  and  so  prominently  has  Mr.  Gatton  been  identified  with  that 
town  that  his  biography  is  substantially  a  history  of  the  same. 

Mr.  Gatton  was  the  first  post-master  there  on  the  establishment 
of  that  office  in  1842.  He  has  been  succeeded  by  the  following 
gentlemen,  though  not  perhaps  in  the  precise  order  named,  to-wit: 
John  S.  Wilbourn,  J.  M.  Beesley,  —  Patterson,  Joseph  A.  Phelps, 
—  Moseley,  John  E.  Nelms,  W.  J.  Odle,  and  Isaac  N.  Weir,  the 
present  incumbent. 

Mr.  G.  erected  the  second  house  in  Bath,  and  has  since  been 
closely  identified  with  the  place;  was  at  Beardstown  in  1831,  when 
that  city  had  scarcely  an  embryo  existence,  and  during  his  brief 
sojourn  there,  served  as  a  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  at  Bath 
when  the  first  survey  of  block  fifteen  was  made  by  ex-President 
Lincoln.     A  cabin  stood  on  the  shore  of  the  river,  and  was  occu- 


1 66  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


pied  by  a  Mr.  Carey.  The  old  house  still  is  in  existence,  sided  up 
over  the  log  walls,  and  is  still  occupied  as  a  residence. 

A  Mr.  Smith,  a  brother  of  the  well-known  Marcus  A.  Smith, 
of  Sny  Carte,  was  the  first  county  commissioner  from  this  locality. 

In  1S49  Mr.  G.  went  to  California,  and  again  in  1853,  making 
these  journeys  overland. 

He  was  first  married  in  1S27,  and  the  second  marriage  in  1835, 
and  again,  ten  years  later,  or  1S45,  anc*  m  XS53  to  his  present  com- 
panion. 

The  official  positions  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  have  been  as 
various  as  might  be  expected  from  a  man  of  his  abilities,  his  ex- 
tended and  somewhat  varied  experience,  and  the  numerous  vicisi- 
tudes  of  a  long  and  active  life.  In  addition  to  his  position  as  first 
postmaster  of  the  town  where  he  still  resides,  he  served  in  the 
State  militia  as  Major — the  date  of  the  aj)pointment  was  in  1843 — 
an  appellation  which  has  ever  adhered  to  him,  and  by  which  he  is 
still  most  familiarly  known.  He  has  served  in  all  those  minor 
offices  of  school,  township,  corporation  and  county,  and  as  grand 
juror  in  the  United  States  Courts.  In  politics,  Major  Gatton  was 
at  an  early  date  identified  with  the  Whig  party,  and  when  "realties- 
cat  in  ■pace'1''  was  inscribed  on  the  mausoleum  of  that  once  invinci- 
ble organization,  he  took  a  position  in  the  ranks  of  the  Democratic 
party. 

In  all  the  varied  experiences  of  the  above  hastily  sketched  life, 
its  possessor  has  been  peculiarly  fortunate.  He  has  been  fortunate 
in  the  possession  of  a  well-balanced  mind  of  great  vigor;  fortunate 
in  the  possession  of  a  fine  physical  organization  and  excellent 
health;  also,  in  the  habit  of  befriending  all,  and  having  all  for  his 
friends.  Though  now  his  years  are  nearly  three  score  and  ten,  he 
retains  the  appearance  and  activity  of  those  twenty  years  his  junior. 
The  hand  of  time  has  touched  him  lightly. 


JOSEPH  DONOVAN. 

The  Donovan  brothers  are  natives  of  Champaign  county,  Ohio, 
and  it  was  there  the  parents  lived  and  died.  An  acquaintance  with 
these  five  brothers  gives  to  the  stranger  who  reads  human  nature  a 
more  exalted  idea  of  the  attributes  of  our  common  humanity. 
Joseph,  who   is  more  especially   the   subject  of   this   sketch,   was 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  167 


born  at  the  place  above  named,  in  1825,  came  west  in  1848,  and 
located  on  the  east  side  of  Mason  county,  and  engaged  in  farming, 
and  the  five  brothers  have,  to  the  present  time,  operated  quite 
largely  in  that  most  important  industry,  and  with  great  financial 
success.  .  Three  of  the  brothers  are  married  and  two  remain  single. 
All  have  operated  together  in  unison  for  these  thirty  years.  When 
these  brothers  transferred  their  large  interests  from  Champaign 
county,  Ohio,  to  the  more  favored  agricultural  region  of  Mason 
county,  an  aged  mother  resided  at  the  old  home.  One  or  more  of 
the  sons  remained  in  the  east  during  her  lifetime,  and  at  her  death 
all  became  permanent  residents  of  the  new  western  home. 

To  record  here  what  partial  friends  and  neighbors  have  said  to 
us  of  these  gentlemen,  would  partake  too  much  of  flattery  for 
these  pages,  on  which  we  propose  to  record  only  facts  in  the  lives 
of  the  subjects  of  whom  we  write,  but  when  the  acts  of  men's 
lives  flatter  them,  then  it  is  history,  and  their  own  lives,  and  not 
pen  pictures  given  by  the  writer;  hence,  by  their  affability  and 
honorable,  upright  lives,  they  have  placed  encomiums  on  them- 
selves. 


LEONARD  SCHWENK. 

When  a  frail  bark  crossed  the  restless  billows  of  the  Atlantic 
ocean,  in  1854,  bearing  to  the  shores  of  free  America,  another  de- 
tachment of  emigrants  from  the  fatherland,  then,  as  in  thousands 
of  other  instances,  they  bore  among  their  numbers  those  destined 
under  the  free  institutions  of  our  country  to  become  not  only  our 
most  substantial  citizens,  but  most  competent  officials.  Such  an 
instance  occurred  in  the  case  of  him  whose  name  heads  this  article. 
Born  in  Wurtembergh,  Germany,  July  23,  1832,  he  emigrated  to 
America  in  1854,  and  located  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  resided  until  1864,  in  April,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
made  Mason  county  his  home,  and  engaged  in  tilling  its  remuner- 
ative soil.  In  1855,  as  millions  have  done  in  every  clime  and  in 
every  age,  he  wisely  concluded  it  "was  not  good  for  man  to  be 
alone,"  and  brought  to  his  help  Miss  Rebecca  Singley,  and  right 
pleasantly  have  they  made  life's  journey  together.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Schwenk  are  both  models   of  mental  and  physical   health,  and  bid 


l6S  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 


fair  for  very  many  long  years  of  happiness,  and  the  enjoyment  of 
the  good  things  of  the  world. 

The  business  abilities  of  Mr.  Schwenk  are  of  a  high  order.  His 
first  official  positions  were  township  collector  and  school  treasurer, 
etc.,  in  Manito  township.  In  1872  the  people  of  Mason  county 
desiring  to  place  in  the  office  of  circuit  clerk  a  man  of  ability,  hon- 
esty and  worth,  discussed  the  subject  very  closelv,  and  placed  Mr. 
Schwenk  in  that  important  office,  the  duties  of  which  have  been 
discharged  with  such  fidelity  that  he  is  a  candidate  for  re-election. 

A  pleasant  family  of  boys  and  girls  enliven  their  home,  parta- 
king, like  their  parents,  of  special  healthfulness  peculiar  to  the  de- 
scendants of  that  nationality. 


DANIEL  CLARK. 

Mr.  Clark  was  born  in  Warren  county,  in  1S1S;  removed  to  In- 
diana in  1 82 7,  where  he  remained  seven  years,  and  removed  to 
what  is  now  Mason  county,  in  October,  1S34.  At  that  time  there 
were  less  than  twenty  families  in  Mason  county,  and  but  two 
houses  in  Havana. 

(The  reader  will  please  see  article  on  Salt  Creek  Township.) 

In  184S  Mr.  Clark  married  Miss  Abigail  Chase.  His  principal 
occupation  has  been  farming.  When  he  located  on  Salt  Creek  the 
country  was  nearly  all  in  a  state  of  nature,  not  one  thousand  acres 
had  yet  been  entered  in  Mason  county.  Mr.  Clark  has  been  one 
of  the  substantial  men  of  the  county,  and  served  a  full  share  in  the 
school  and  township  offices,  commissioner  of  highways,  etc. 

Though  not  rich  he  is  possessed  of  a  competency,  and  feeling 
that  he  had  done  his  share  to  make  the  world  better  since  his  resi- 
dence in  it,  he  has  retired  from  active  labor,  and  since  1S74  his 
home  has  been  in  Mason  City. 

Twenty  years  ago  the  writer  lost  his  way  on  the  Salt  Creek 
bottoms,  overtaken  by  a  very  dark  night.  About  twelve  o'clock 
we  found  the  home  of  Mr.  Clark,  and  were  glad  to  receive  his 
kind  hospitalities  for  ourself  and  team.  His  kindness  to  us  has 
since  then  been  a  pleasant  recollection. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1 69 


E.  A.  WALLACE. 

Mr.  Wallace  was  born  at  Antrim,  New  Hampshire,  June  7,  1S43. 
Graduated  at  Henrriker  Academy,  Henniker  county,  N.  H.,  and 
from  Harvard  Law  School,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  June,  1867:  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  at  Boston,  Mass.,  June,  1S67;  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  law  Nov.  4th,  1867,  at  Havana,  Illinois,  as  partner  of  Hon. 
Lyman  Lacy.  Married  Dec.  27,  1869,  to  Miss  Gertrude  Lightcap, 
daughter  of  H.  W.  Lightcap,  then  of  this  city. 

It  is  only  necessary  further  to  state  that  Mr.  Wallace  is  a  rising 
young  attorney,  of  fine  abilities,  and  an  extensive  and  increasing 
practice. 


E.  B.  HARPHAM. 

Dr.  Harpham  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  year 
18 14,  and  removed  to  what  is  now  Ohio  county,  Indiana,  in  1819, 
and  from  there  to  Mason  county,  Illinois,  locating  at  Havana,  in 
November,  1S44,  or  three  years  after  the  organization  of  Mason 
county.  He  has  since  then,  and  until  the  past  few  years,  been 
actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  since  1S56  inter- 
ested in  the  drug  business  in  Havana.  He  was  county  school  com- 
missioner several  years  and  president  of  the  first  board  of  trustees 
of  the  town  of  Havana. 

We  are  handed  by  Dr.  Harpham  the  original  list  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Havana,  when  a  canvass  was  made  in  1S4S,  when  the  peo- 
ple were  called  on  to  vote  for  or  against  incorporation,  which  we 
shall  copy  in  the  history  of  Havana.  He  also  hands  us  the  original 
draft  of  the  first  ordinance  passed  by  the  town  trustees  after  incor- 
poration, and  a  list  of  the  subscribers,  and  the  amount  subscribed, 
and  the  amount  paid  by  each  of  the  subscribers  to  the  Illinois  River 
Railroad,  now  the  P.,  P.  &  J.  R.  R.  Since  his  residence  in  Mason 
county  his  interests  have  been  very  prominently  identified  with  the 
public  welfare;  being  a  large  property  holder,  and  his  experience 
and  business  abilities  have  given  his  opinions  great  weight  in  the 
community  where  he  resides. 

Did  space  permit  we  might  enlarge  to  any  extent  on  the  inci- 
dents and  experience  of  Dr.  Harpham  in  the  early  history  of  his 
— 22 


170  HISTORY  OF  MASON    COUNTY. 


practice  in  this  country,  but  we  must  forbear.  Having  by  rigid 
economy  accumulated  a  large  fortune,  he  is  now  living  in  its  quiet 
enjoyment,  in  a  fine  home,  corner  of  Main  street  and  Broadway. 
Though  well  advanced  in  years,  the  hand  of  time  has  touched  him 
kindly,  and  he  bids  fair  for  great  longevity  and  a  ripe  old  age. 


SELAH  WHEADON. 

Mr.  Wheadon  was  born  in  Mendon,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y., 
November  29,  18 19;  emigrated  with  his  father  to  Ashtabula,  Ohio, 
in  1  S3 1,  where  he  resided  until  1S35,  and  started  for  Illinois  June  1, 
of  that  year.  They  made  the  trip  by  land  to  Wellsville,  on  the 
Ohio  river,  where  thev  embarked  on  board  a  steamer  for  the  then 
distant  city  of  St.  Louis,  and  re-embarked  for  the  Illinois  river  and 
Havana,  where  the}r  landed  June  15,  1S35.  The  financial  condi- 
tion of  the  family  was  at  this  time  at  low  ebb,  and  without  the 
means  to  liquidate  a  hotel  bill,  the  family  were  rendezvoused  in  the 
old  log  school  house,  near  where  the  northwest  corner  of  the  court 
house  square  now  is,  to  remain  until  he  could  return  from  Water- 
ford  with  teams  to  remove  them  to  Lewistown. 

Havana  was  then  known  as  Ross'  ferry.  An  old  block  house, 
for  defense  against  the  Indians,  stood  a  little  back  from  the  river, 
where  Market  street  now  is,  and  a  few  cabins  among  the  black- 
jacks, formed  the  town.  Mr.  Asa  Langsford,  the  only  resident  of 
Waterford,  sent  a  team  of  three  or  four  yoke  of  oxen,  to  convey  the 
family  to  Lewistown.  The  water  was  so  high  on  Spoon  river  and  the 
Illinois  bottoms  as  to  swim  the  oxen  in  some  of  the  sloughs.  He 
resided  on  a  farm  between  Waterford  and  Lewistown  from  the 
fall  of  1S35  until  the  spring  of  1854.  He  was  married  at  Havana, 
October  iS,  1S47,  to  Francis  Howard,  who  died  in  1S51-  In  1S53 
he  married  Mary  Howard,  who  died  in  1S56.  May  2,  185S,  he 
married  Cassandra  M.  McConnell,  who  died  March  7,  1S69. 
December  8,  1870,  he  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hezlep.  He  joined 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  Lewistown,  in  1S41  or  '42,  and  was 
expelled  for  heresy  in  1S51.  Attended  the  Illinois  College,  in 
Jacksonville,  in  1S42  and  '43,  one  term.  Had  previously  studied 
Latin  at  home,  going  four  miles  on  foot  to  recite.  Commenced 
preaching  the  universal  salvation  of  all  men,  October  24,  1851,  at 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  171 

Matanzas.  Taught  his  first  school  in  Waterford,  in  1844,  and  was 
the  first  town  clerk  of  that  locality.  April  3,  1850,  he  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace.  In  1852  he  taught  school  in  Springfield  for  a 
short  time  as  a  supply.  In  April,  1854,  he  came  to  Havana,  and  in 
December,  1855,  commenced  book-keeping  for  Moore,  Pratte  & 
Cheek.  Organized  a  Universalist  church  at  Havana,  March  1, 
1S56,  of  ten  members,  which  soon  increased  to  twenty-three;  has 
since  then  organized  seven  or  eight  others,  and  held  about  the 
same  number  of  religious  discussions. 

In  April,  1S57,  he  commenced  clerking  in  the  drugstore  of  Dr. 
E.  B.  Harpham  ;  was  elected  trustee  of  Havana  on  a  temperance 
ticket  in  1857,  and  was  appointed  county  school  commissioner  the 
same  year  to  fill  a  vacancy. 

He  was  elected  supervisor  from  Salt  Creek  township,  and  justice 
of  the  peace  in  1S63;  moved  to  a  farm  south  of  Havana  in  1864. 
In  1866,  May  2d,  he  bought  the  "  Volunteer1''  printing  office  of 
W.  W.  Stout,  and  began  the  publication  of  the  '•'•Democratic  True 
Unionist"  In  1870  he  consolidated,  it  with  the  "Ledger"  and 
called  it  the  '•'•Democratic  Clarion"  This  publication  still  con- 
tinues in  the  charge  of  Mr.  Wheadon,  an  able  exponent  of  the 
principles  of  the  democratic  party,  and  of  which  we  shall  speak  at 
length  under  another  head.  The  experience  of  Mr.  Wheadon, 
like  all  pioneer  residents,  has  been  quite  various,  but  his  abilities 
and  versatility  of  talents  has  been  his  stay.  Fine,  natural  abilities 
and  a  liberal  education,  and  taste  for  literature,  makes  him,  editor- 
ially, financially  and  politically,  successful. 


J.  B.  PAUL,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Paul  was  born  in  Solon,  Maine,  April  30,  1823.  and  received 
his  education  at  an  Academy  in  that  State.  Was  principal  in  the 
public  schools,  in  Houston,  in  i846-'7;  in  Calais,  in  i847-'S;  and 
in  a  ward  school,  in  Bangor,  Maine,  in  1  S48-'9-'5o. 

On  account  of  ill  health  (bronchitis,  and  apparently  incipient 
phthisic)  he  emigrated  to  the  west,  in  1851.  Was  principal  of  the 
Fourth  Ward  School,  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  from  185 1  to  '55,  during 
which  time  his  attention  was  turned  to  medicine  and  surgery,  as  a 
life  business.     Came  to  Mason  county,  in  1855,  and  was  instrumen- 


I72  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

tal  in  bringing  order  out  of  chaos  in  the  public  schools  of  Havana, 
over  which  he  presided  during  the  years  1S55— '6— '7. 

Having  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.,  from  Rush  Medical  Col- 
lege, he  opened  an  office  in  Havana,  the  following  summer,  for  the 
practice  of  medicine.  He  was  married,  in  Dexter,  Maine,  in  1848, 
to  Miss  Lovina  G.  Lawton,  and  an  unusually  bright  and  interest- 
ing family  enliven  their  pleasant  home.  Dr.  Paul  and  wife  became 
identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1858,  and  now 
constitute  its  strength  and  stay,  The  Doctor's  experience  fur- 
nishes another  illustration  of  "that  where  there  is  a  will,  there  is  a 
way."  He  left  home  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  with  a  worldly 
estate  of  ninety-three  cents.  We  find  him  to-day,  well-to-do,  self 
educated,  and  a  valuable  experience,  with  medical  and  literary  abil- 
ities attained  to  but  by  few. 


WILLIAM  A.  BARTHOLAMEW, 

Was  born  Sept.  14,  1842,  at  Zanesville,  Ohio.  His  ancestors 
were  French  Huguenots  during  the  religious  persecutions  of  the 
sixteenth  century;  left  the  vine-clad  hills  of  sunny  France,  and 
their  youthful  home,  and  with  an  abiding  faith  in  an  over-ruling 
Providence,  entrusted  themselves  and  their  families  to  the  mercy  of 
the  winds,  and  the  waves  of  the  mad  Atlantic.  With  their  faces 
toward  the  setting  sun,  they  sought  and  found  an  Asylum,  in 
happy,  free  America,  where  they  were  free  from  religious  perse- 
cution. Thev  settled  in  the  State  of  Maryland.  The  branch  of 
the  family  to  which  our  subject  belongs,  settled  at  an  early  day  in 
western  Ohio. 

In  the  fall  of  1S52  his  father  came  with  his  family  to  Montgom- 
ery county,  Illinois,  but  returned  to  Ohio  the  following  autumn. 
In  the  spring  of  i860  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Cape  Girardeau, 
Missouri.  The  spring  of  1S61  found  them  again  in  Ohio,  when 
William  A.,  in  his  eighteenth  year,  enlisted  under  the  first  call  for 
troops,  and  was  mustered  in  on  the  2 2d  of  April,  1S61.  He  re- 
mained in  the  army  until  1864,  and  saw  service  under  Generals 
Bucll,  Rosecrans  and  Sherman,  and  was  in  some  of  the  hardest 
fought  battles  of  the  war,  and,  on  his  individual  merit,  made  his 
way  from  the  ranks  to  Captain. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I  73 

He  entered  the  Sophomore  class,  of  1866,  at  Wittemberg  Col- 
lege, at  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  graduated  with  the  class,  in  1869. 
The  third  of  July,  that  year,  found  him  in    Mason  City,  Illinois. 

That  fall  he  registered  himself  a  law  student,  with  Isaac  R. 
Brown,  Esq.,  of  that  city.  At  that  time  some  friends,  in  Ohio,  de- 
sired him  to  look  after  their  interests  in  California.  The  offer  was 
too  tempting  to  meet  with  opposition  on  his  part,  so  Blackstone 
was  laid  aside  for  awhile,  and  in  October,  1870,  he  was  admiring 
the  sublime  and  the  beautiful  scenery  of  the  Pacific  slope.  Stop- 
ping in  Kansas,  on  his  return  from  California,  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  and  married  Miss  Lillie,  daughter  of  Hon.  George 
H.  Strouse,  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  September,  1873,  he  was  back  in  Mason  City,  and  again  took 
up  Blackstone,  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Brown.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  in  June,  1875,  and  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Mr. 
Brown,  for  the  practice  of  law,  in  Mason  City.  He  is  personally 
a  man  of  pleasant  address,  a  fluent  speaker  and  writer,  a  rising 
young  attorney,  with  a  rapidly  increasing  practice,  and  bids  fair  to 
become  a  leading  attorney  in  central  Illinois. 


PETER  A.  THORNBURGH. 

Mr.  Thornburgh  was  born  in  18 15,  in  the  State  of  Maryland, 
came  west  in  1839,  and  located  in  Fulton  county,  and  removed  to 
Havana,  in  1842.  It  then  contained  eight  families.  Here  he  en- 
gaged in  blacksmithing,  the  first  permanent  shop  in  the  place. 
About  ten  years  ago  he  removed  about  six  miles  southeast  of  Ha- 
vana, and  became  proprietor  of  the  town  of  Peterville,  where  he 
now  resides,  and  for  some  years  has  been  engaged  in  farming. 

He  was  married,  in  1842,  to  Leah,  daughter  of  James  Milleson, 
an  aged  citizen  of  Fulton  county,  who  still  survives,  at  eighty- 
eight  years  of  age.  Mr.  Thornburgh  has  served  time  immemorial 
in  township  and  school  offices,  commissioner  of  highways,  etc. 
He  has  long  been  identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  has  all  the  official  positions  pertaining  thereto.  He  enjoys 
good  health,  and  the  promise  of  a  long  life  of  usefulness. 


174  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


STEPHEN  HOLE. 

Stephen  Hole  was  born  on  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Cincin- 
nati in  the  year  1796.  He  was  the  son  of  Daniel  Hole,  a  Revolu- 
tionary soldier.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Bedell.  In  early 
life  Stephen  Hole  became  a  citizen  of  Warren  county,  Ohio,  where 
he  was  married  to  Mary  Eddy.  While  quite  young  he  was  a  vol- 
unteer in  the  war  of  181 2,  and  received  a  land  warrant  for  services 
in  the  army,  with  which  he  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Mason 
county.  He  removed  from  Warren  county,  Ohio,  to  Washington 
county,  Indiana,  in  1S20.  In  1S33  his  first  wife  died,  leaving  six 
surviving  children,  viz:  James  H., Joseph  E.,  Daniel  P.,  Phoebe  E., 
John  X.  and  Mary  A. 

Soon  after  this  he  married  Luanda  Mitchell,  who  survives  him, 
an  honored  and  respected  resident  of  Mason  county. 

Stephen  Hole  was  an  active  and  enterprising  farmer  in  Indiana 
for  thirty-six  years;  was  elected  sheriff  of  his  county  several  times, 
was  universally  respected  for  his  upright  character,  genial  disposi- 
tion and  sound  judgment.  There  were  born  to  him  by  his  second 
wife  six  children,  that  lived  to  maturity,  viz:  Thomas  A.,  William 
H.,  Sarah  E.,  Louisa  M.,  Robert  M.  and  Kate. 

In  1856  he  removed  to  Mason  county,  Illinois,  where  several  of 
his  children  had  preceded  him.  Here  he  resided  until  his  death,  in 
1S73.     He  was  a  man  whom  to  know  was  to  admire. 


JAMES  H.  HOLE. 

James  H.  Hole  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  in  the  year 
18 1 8.  With  his  father's  family  he  removed  to  Washington  countv, 
Indiana,  in  1S20;  received  a  good  common  school  education.  When 
seventeen  years  old,  and  for  several  years  after,  taught  the  winter 
school  in  his  neighborhood.  In  1S37  visited  his  mother's  family, 
the  Eddy's,  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  clerked  in  the  store  for  them. 
In  1S40  was  married  to  Mary  D.  Wible,  by  whom  he  had  nine 
children,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living. 

In  1846  James  H.  Hole  and  family,  Joseph  E.  Hole  and  wife, 
and  Daniel  P.  Hole,  moved  into  Salt  Creek  township,  Mason 
county,  Illinois.     March  1,  1S48,  he  moved  to  Havana,  and  started 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY.  I  75 


a  store  in  connection  with  Abram  Swing,  since  deceased,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Holt  &  Swing.  This  business  arrangement  only 
continued  a  few  months,  when  Mr.  Hole  sold  out  to  Mr.  Swing. 
Soon  after  this  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace.  While  holding 
that  office  he  was  employed  as  salesman  and  book-keeper  by  Walker 
&  Hancock,  who  were  at  this  time  the  largest  dealers  in  merchan- 
dise, grain,  etc.,  in  Mason  county. 

About  the  year  1851  he  commenced  business  with  his  brother 
Daniel  P.  This  firm  did  a  large  business,  both  in  grain  and  mer- 
chandise, for  seven  or  eight  years,  and  these  brothers  were  connected 
in  their  business  relations  until  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1865. 

In  1S54  Mr.  Hole  was  elected  sheriff,  which  office  he  filled  cred- 
itably. He  was  a  candidate  for  a  member  of  the  constitutional 
convention  of  1862,  but  was  defeated.  In  1S62  he  commenced 
buying  corn  for  the  government  contractor.  He  continued  in  this 
business  until  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1865,  buying  an  immense 
amount  of  grain. 

In  1S65  he  and  his  son  Henry  F.  became  connected  in  business, 
and  in  1867  his  son-in-law,  Thomas  Jones,  was  added  to  the  firm. 
From  1867  to  1S70  they  carried  on  the  merchandise,  grain  and 
milling  business.  In  September,  1S71,  James  H.  Hole  died,  regret- 
ted by  all  good  men  who  knew  him.  For  more  than  twenty  years 
he  had  been  a  leader  in  every  public  enterprise  for  the  benefit  of 
Mason  county. 

He  was  a  director  of  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  Company  (now 
P.,  P.  and  J.)  while  it  was  being  built;  was  one  of  the  board  of 
directors  that  selected  the  beautiful  site  and  built  the  old  school 
house.  His  voice  and  means  were  always  on  the  side  of  morals, 
education  and  advancement.  He  made  the  first  republican  speech 
ever  made  in  Mason  county.  Gentlemanly,  cordial  and  generous, 
he  died  poor.  None  of  the  vast  amounts  of  money  he  had  handled 
remained  unto  the  end. 

His  widow,  Mrs.  Mary  D.  Hole,  with  the  three  youngest  chil- 
dren, reside  on  a  farm  in  Thayer  county,  Nebraska.  The  oldest 
son,  Henry  F.  Hole,  is  a  book-keeper  at  Fairbury,  Nebraska.  The 
oldest  daughter,  Mrs.  M.  Jones,  wife  of  Thomas  Jones,  resides  at 
Lincoln,  Nebraska.  The  second  daughter,  Mrs.  Pollie  Keith,  has 
just  returned  from  Assam,  India,  with  her  husband,  the  Rev. 
Thos.  J.  Keith,  where,  for  the  past  five  years,  they  have  been  suc- 
cessful missionaries  of  the    American   Baptist   Missionary    Union. 


176  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


The  third  daughter  is  Mrs.  Hattie  Whitaker,  wife  of  Capt.  S. 
Whitaker,  of  Havana.  The  fourth  daughter,  Miss  Clara,  an  ac- 
complished teacher,  has  just  finished  her  second  year  as  principal 
of  the  school  at  Belvidere,  Nebraska. 


JOSEPH  E.  HOLE. 

Joseph  Eddy  Hole  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Indiana, 
about  1 821;  received  a  good  common  school  education;  was  re- 
markable for  his  steady  character,  good  habits  and  keen  mind. 

He  was  married  in  1846  to  Miss  Clotilda  Green.  Immediately 
after  his  marriage  he  removed  to  Mason  county,  Illinois,  residing 
for  a  year  or  more  on  a  farm  owned  by  Daniel  Clark,  (an  uncle  by 
marriage.)  He  soon  acquired  a  half  section  of  land  about  two 
miles  south  of  the  present  site  of  Mason  City.  He  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  a  man  noted  for  his  correct  decisions, 
and  among  his  neighbors  was  highly  respected.  He  died  in  1S55, 
leaving  a  widow  and  three  children,  all  now  living.  The  oldest 
child  is  now  Mrs.  E.  Everest,  residing  with  her  husband  and  her 
mother  on  a  part  of  the  land  owned  by  Mr.  Hole  at  the  time  of  his 
decease. 


DANIEL  P.  HOLE. 

Daniel  P.  Hole  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Indiana;  came 
to  Mason  county  in  1846.  His  first  enterprise  was  making  brick 
in  the  Salt  Creek  bottom.  Afterwards  returned  to  Indiana  for 
several  years,  and  was  employed  by  his  father,  Stephen  Hole,  in  a 
large  steam  saw-mill.  About  1851,  returning  to  Illinois,  he  en- 
gaged in  business  at  Havana  with  his  brother,  James  II.,  under  the 
firm  name  of  J.  H.  &  D.  P.  Hole.  This  relation  continued,  in  one 
way  and  another,  until  1865.  After  which,  for  several  years,  Mr. 
Hole  conducted  a  very  successful  merhandise  business  on  his  own 
account.  May  he  live  until  the  next  centennial,  as  much  respected 
as  lie  has  been  in  the  past.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Dollie 
Taylor.     The  fruit  of  this  union  is  three  children. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1  77 


JOHN  N.  HOLE. 

John  Newton  Hole  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Indiana; 
came  to  Havana  about  1S52.  Afterwards  returned  to  Indiana,  and 
again  to  Mason  county  after  the  death  of  his  brother,  Joseph  E. 
Hole.  He  settled  his  brother's  estate,  and  continued  a  store  on  his 
place  for  some  time.  Was  engaged  in  farming  for  several  years. 
In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  85th  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  was 
elected  Orderly  Sergeant.  Took  part  in  the  battle  of  Perryville, 
Ky.,  but  his  health  failing,  he  was  discharged  from  the  service.  In 
1S63  he  commenced  buying  grain  at  Bath,  where  he  resided  until 
1S73.  He  was  in  active  business  there  all  the  time,  and  was  highly 
respected  for  his  uprightness,  sound  judgment,  and  general  ex- 
emplary character.  Married  in  1S64  to  Miss  Jennie  Lester;  has 
one  child,  Miss  Emma,  now  eleven  years  old.  In  the  fall  of  1S73 
he  removed  to  Belvidere,  Nebraska.  There,  as  might  be  expected, 
he  is  quite  popular  with  all  classes. 


THOMAS  A.  HOLE. 

Thomas  Alexander  Hole  was  born  in  Washington  cov  ity, 
Indiana;  removed  with  his  father  to  Mason  county  in  1856.  Mar- 
ried the  same  year  to  Miss  Eliza  Snyder,  by  whom  he  has  three 
children  living.  Engaged  in  farming,  he  has  not  been  brought  so 
prominently  before  the  public  as  some  other  men,  yet  is  much  re- 
spected for  his  modest  manners  and  unobtrusive  ways.  There 
would  be  fewer  failures  in  business  and  less  complaint  of  the  times 
being  out  of  joint  if  more  men  were  like  Tom  Hole. 


WILLIAM  H.  HOLE. 

William  Harmon  Hole  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Ind.; 
removed  with  his  father  to  Mason  county  in  1S56.  A  farmer  by 
nature,  he  has  always  followed  it.  In  1S62  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K, 
85th  regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  Went  with  the  regiment  through  to  the  sea  on  Sherman's 
historic  march.     Always  with  his  company,  his  tall  form  and  broad 

— 23 


'78 


HISTORY  OF   MASON    COUNTY. 


breast  must  have  been  a  fair  mark  for  rebel  bullets,  yet  he  came 
home  unscarred.  He  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Becca  Dieffen- 
bacher.     Several  children  bless  this  happy  union. 


Miss  Phebe  Ellen  Hole  resides  with  her  widowed  step-mother, 
on  the  old  homestead,  four  miles  from  Havana. 

Miss  Mary  Ann  Hole  occupies  her  residence  in  Havana. 

Miss  Sarah  E.  Hole  married  James  Covington,  and  bore  him 
several  children,  two  of  whom,  Will  and  Stephen,  are  now  living. 
Mrs.  Covington  died  in  1869. 

Miss  Lou.  M.  Hole  was  married  in  1862  fto  Robert  Lofton. 
After  Mr.  Lofton's  return  from  the  army,  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  Livingston  county,  Illinois.  Afterwards  to  Ford  county, 
where  he  died  in  1S75,  leaving  Mrs.  Lofton  and  several  children  to 
survive  him.  Mrs.  Lofton  has  recently  removed  to  the  old  place 
in  Mason  county. 

Miss  Kate  Hole  married  Capt.  S.  Whitaker,  but  died  in  1S70, 
much  regreted. 

Robert  M.  Hole  died  in  1S56,  aged  seventeen  years. 


NO.  CHILDREN. 

Stephen  Hole 12  children 

James  H.  Hole S  children  . 

Jos.  E.  Hole 3  children .  . 

D.  P.  Hole 


3  children, 

T.  A.  Hole 3  children 


W.  H.  Hole. 


children 


Mrs.  Covington 2  children  .  . 

Mrs.  Lofton 5  children . . 

John  N.  Hole  1 39-f  1  =^o-\- 


GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. 

,H.  F.  Hole 5  children 

.  Mrs.  Jones 2  children 

.Mrs.  Keith 1  child. 

.Mrs.  Whitaker.  ..1  child. 

.  Mrs.  Everest 2  children 

.  C.  C.  Hole 1  child. 

12  =  52 


ALMOND  JONES. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  well-to-do,  unostentatious  farmer, 
residing  in  the  vicinity  of  the  well-known  locality  of  McHarry's 
mill.       Prominent    among    his    neighbors    are    Peter    Ringhouse, 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I  79 

Aaron  Pollard,  Pollard  Anno  and  Charles  Howell.  The  McHar- 
ry  mill  site  before  referred  to,  was  entered  and  improved  by  Julius 
Jones,  the  father  of  Almond,  and  some  years  deceased,  and  sold  to 
McHarry  about  the  year  1846. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  this  personal  sketch  to  note  the  prominent 
characteristics  of  the  individuals  to  which  they  refer,  and  to  hand 
down  to  the  future,  those  who  now  stand  prominent  as  citizens  of 
our  county,  and  representative  men.  To  describe  the  character  of 
the  individual  whose  name  is  at  the  head  of  these  notes,  our  first 
impress  is  set  forth  briefly  in  three  words,  to- wit:  an  honest  man. 
Comment  would  be  useless  verbiage,  superfluous  and  unmeaning. 
We  will  close  this  brief  note  by  a  quotation  addressed  to  the  sub- 
ject of  these  remarks,  ziz: 

"Pardon  the  freedom  I  have  taken, 
And  if  impertinent  I've  been, 
Impute  it  not,  good  sir,  to  one 

Whose  heart  ne'er  wronged  you, 
But  to  his  utmost  would  befriend 
Aught  that  belonged  to  you." 


ISAAC  R.  BROWN,  Esq. 

Mr.  Brown  was  born  in  Burlington  county,  N.  J.,  Sept.  1842. 
His  paternal  ancestry  came  from  Scotland;  his  mother's  family 
is  of  English  extraction,  and  came  to  America  with  William  Penn. 
In  1856  Mr.  Brown  came  with  his  parents  to  Tazewell  county, 
Illinois,  and  from  thence,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  to  Mason  county. 

He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
and  as  a  soldier  acquitted  himself  with  credit.  When  the  Goddess  of 
Peace  had  spread  her  wings  over  our  undivided  Union,  and  our 
citizen  soldiers  laid  aside  the  habiliments  of  war,  to  don  those  of 
peace  and  home,  we  find  Mr.  Brown  a  student  of  the  laws  of  the 
country  in  whose  service  he  had  been  on  the  tented  field.  He  read 
law  with  Hon.  Charles  Turner,  of  Pekin,  Illinois,  and  was  admit- 
ted to 'the  bar  in  November,  1867.  He  then  located  at  Mason 
City,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

Mr.  Brown  is  another  instance,  so  frequently  met  with  in  this 
country,  where  the  way  to  advancement  is  open  and  free  to  all ;  of 
a  self-made  man,  with  no  other  resources  but  his  own  indomitable 


l8o  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 


energies  and  persevering  will,  to  aid  his  naturally  fine  legal  mind, 
he  has  established  an  enviable  reputation.  There  are  few  young 
attorneys  in  Central  Illinois  who  have  made  a  fairer  record. 


WILLIAM  M.  GANSON. 

It  is  with  diffidence  that  we  attempt  to  lay  before  a  reading 
intelligent  public,  the  character  of  a  gentleman  whose  native  mod- 
esty and  worth  shrinks  from  notoriety,  and  whose  tastes  and  inclin- 
ations lead  him  only  in  the  line  of  duty,  public  or  private,  in  what- 
ever position  he  may  be  called  to  fill.  Such  is  the  case,  however, 
with  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  such  is  the  model  we  would 
present,  worthy  of  the  imitation  of  all.  He  was  born  in  Cham- 
paign county,  Ohio,  October  22,  1S3S;  came  to  Illinois  in  1858, 
and  permanently  located  in  Mason  county,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mani- 
to,  in  1859,  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  the  purchase  of  grain 
at  the  town  of  Manito. 

Mr.  Ganson  served  two  terms  as  justice  of  the  peace  at  that 
place,  and  a  member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors  for  four 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1873  he  was  elected  county  clerk  of  Mason 
county,  which  important  office  he  still  holds.  It  is  a  work  of  super- 
ogation  to  add  that  the  duties  pertaining  to  these  offices,  have  been 
faithfully  and  unostentatiously  discharged. 

He  was  married  in  1859,  October  2d,  to  Miss  Mary  Rawalt,  and 
since  installment  in  his  present  official  position,  has  made  his  resi- 
dence in  Havana. 

May  "Through  a  long  life  his  hopes  and  wishes  crowned, 
And  bright  in  cloudless  skies  his  sun  go  down; 
May  bliss  domestic  smooth  his  private  path, 
Give  energy  to  life,  and  soothe  his  latest  breath." 


SAMUEL  H.  IXGERSOLL. 

Prominent  for  many  years  in  the  business  interests  of  Forest 
City  and  of  Mason  county,  has  been  the  individual  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch.     He  was  born  in  1828,  in  Medina  county,  Ohio. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  iSl 

In  1S49  he  went  from  Cleveland,  Ohio,  to  California,  and  remained 
there  until  1855,  when  he  came  to  Mason  county,  which  has  since 
been  his  home. 

He  married  in  1S59  to  Miss  Lois  A.  Van  Orman,  of  Ohio,  and 
their  very  pleasant  home  ornaments  the  side  of  one  of  those  beau- 
tiful undulations  or  prairie  swells  south  of  Forest  City.  His  busi- 
ness has  been  farming  and  milling,  and  his  rare  judgment  and  busi- 
ness tact  has  made  both  financial  successes.  He  has  been  called 
by  his  neighbors  to  serve  them  at  various  dates  and  in  various 
humble  but  useful  home  offices,  in  township  and  schools ;  but  it  has 
been  in  continued  re-elections  and  long  and  efficient  service  on  the 
county  board  of  supervisors  that  his  judgment  and  influence 
have  been  most  useful  to  the  people  of  Mason  county. 

Mr.  Ingersoll  is  one  of  those  rare  combinations  of  pleasant,  gen- 
ial sociability,  and  square,  rigid,  frank  business  talent.  The  orna- 
mentations that  surround  their  tasteful  residence  indicate  refinement 
and  aesthetic  cultivation,  the  more  valuable  on  account  of  its  rarity. 
Mr.  Ingersoll  is  the  artificer  of  his  own  fortune;  self-reliant  and 
prudent,  consequently  successful,  illustrating  the  fact  that  the  shad- 
ows that  cross  the  pathway  of  our  lives  are  those  we  make  by 
standing  in  our  own  light." 


SAMUEL  C.  CONWELL,  Esq. 

Mr.  Conwell  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Havana 
for  a  long  term  of  years,  and  perhaps  as  well  known  throughout 
our  county  as  any  other  member  of  that  profession.  He  was  born 
in  the  State  of  Deleware,  August  27,  1819.  Came  west,  and 
located  at  Havana,  in  1S40,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  thereof. 
In  December,  1841,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Walker,  daughter 
of  James  Walker,  of  Walker's  Grove,  at  an  early  date.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar,  January  27,  185 1;  his  license  was  signed  by 
Judges  Treat  and  Trumbull. 

During  a  residence  in  Indiana,  previous  to  his  removal  to  Illinois 
he  was  a  neighbor  to,   and   also   graduated  with,   Gov.  Hendricks 
the   present   Democratic   candidate  for   the  Vice-Presidency  of  the 
United   States.     Mr.  Conwell  is  an   extensive   land   owner  in  this 
county,    and   has    served    as    county  school    commissioner   several 


[82  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

terms.  His  family  consists  of  four  daughters  and  a  son,  viz :  The 
wife  of  J.  F.  Kclscy,  the  wife  of  Fred.  Pollitz,  merchant  of  this 
city,  and  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Campbell,  Esq.,  and  a  daughter  at 
home. 


CHARLES  COXWELL, 

The  son  above  referred  to,  was  born  in  1852,  in  Havana,  mar- 
ried, in  1S74,  to  Miss  May  Stevens,  of  this  city.  Was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  in  1S75,  at  Mt.  Vernon,  Illinois,  and  is  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  law  with  his  father. 


JOHN  W.  HOLZGR^FE, 

Was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1S0S.  Emigrated  to 
America,  in  1S36,  and  to  Mason  county,  in  1S39,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  was  married,  in  1S36,  has  five  sons  and  one 
daughter,  viz:  G.  William,  G.  Henry,  G.  Lewis,  G.  Brantz  and 
G.  Frank,  and  these  five  sons  are  among  the  successful  business 
men  of  Havana  and  vicinity.  During  his  residence  in  this  countrv, 
he  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  of  which  he  has  made  a  fine  for- 
tune, and  is  now  enjoying  a  tour  in  Europe,  re-visiting  his  youthful 
home  and  fatherland. 

It  is  a  conceded  fact,  that  the  family  will  weigh  more  avoirdu- 
pois than  any  other  family  in  Mason  county,  all  being  of  a  large 
size,  and  of  splendid  physique. 


ROBERT  G.  RIDER. 

Dr.  Rider  was  born  March  14,  1S31,  in  Palmyra,  Portage 
county,  Ohio.  When  about  five  years  old,  his  parents  removed  to 
near  Logansport,  Indiana,  where  his  father  died.  The  mother 
then  removed  with  the  family  to  Pennsylvania,  where  the  Doctor 
attended  the  common  schools  till  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  when  he 
entered  Jefferson  College,  at  Cannonsburg,  Pennsylvania,  continu- 
ing there  four  years.     He  then   commenced   reading,  in  Washing- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  183 

ton,  Pennsylvania,  continuing  there  three  years.  He  then  attended 
medical  lectures,  in  the  Iowa  Medical  University,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa. 
In  the  spring  of  1853  he  went  south,  and  settled  near  Mobile,  Ala- 
bama. 

He  remained  in  practice  until  the  fall  of  1856,  when  he  came  to 
Mason  county,  and  settled  where  the  town  of  Topeka  now  standi. 
In  the  spring  of  1857,  he  married  Harriet  M.,  daughter  of  Aaron 
Littell,  late  of  that  vicinity. 

In  the  fall  of  1862,  he  recruited  Co.  K,  85th  Vol.  Inf.,  was  elected 
Captain,  and  soon  after  promoted  to  Major,  and  was  with  Sherman 
in  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  resigned  his  commission,  in  Savanah, 
Georgia,  returned  home  and  resumed  his  profession.  In  the  spring 
of  1S76,  he  removed  to  Havana,  where  he  continues  the  practice  of 
medicine,  and  the  superintendence  of  a  fine  farm,  south  of  Forest 
City. 

The  medical  qualifications  of  Dr.  Rider  are  of  a  high  order,  and  a 
varied  experience  in  his  profession  to  which  few  men  attain.  He 
stands  second  to  none  in  his  profession  in   Mason  count)-. 


Hon.  MATHEW  LANGSTON. 

The  somewhat  eventful  history  of  the  present  subject  compels 
more  than  usual  brevity.  He  was  born  in  Rutherford  county, 
Tenn.,  June  24,  1824,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Missouri,  at 
an  early  age,  and  from  Missouri  to  Illinois,  in  1828,  and  settled  in 
Morgan  county.  From  there  he  removed  to  Mason  county,  in 
1850.  He  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  Egypt  precinct, 
now  Manito  township,  elected  in  1S53,  and  frequently  re-elected 
thereafter.  When  township  organization  was  adopted,  in  1S62,  he 
was  elected  first  supervisor  from  Manito  township. 

He  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  as  Captain  of 
Co.  A,  85th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  August  27,  1362,  (see  roster  of  that  regi- 
ment, in  military  department  of  this  work,)  where  he  served  cred- 
itably and  acceptably,  and  resigned,  Jan.  11,   1863. 

Mr.  Langston  had  also  seen  military  service  in  the  Mexican  war 
for  one  year,  having  enlisted  at  Winchester,  Illinois,  June  23,  1846, 
and  was  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  where  his  com- 
pany   suffered  severely.       Some    details  of    the   organization    and 


1S4  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

leaving  home  of  the  company  of  Capt.  Langston,  in  1S62,  we  have 
been  unable  to  obtain,  but  were  published  in  the  papers  of  Taze- 
well county  at  the  time.  We  refer  to  some  peculiarly  happy  re- 
marks by  the  Captain,  on  the  occasion  of  a  fla^g  presentation  to  his 
company. 

,  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  27th  General  Assembly,  and 
and  has  served  as  county  judge,  and  all  the  home  offices  pertaining 
to  townships,  schools  and  corporations.  He  removed  to  Kansas,  in 
October,  1873,  and,  like  all  who  leave  Mason  county,  he  returned 
to  make  it  his  lifelong  home,  Feb.  24,  1875.  This  matter  of  emi- 
grants from  Mason  county  returning  here  for  a  permanent  home, 
has  become  proverbial.  We  bid  them  good-bye,  knowing  we  shall 
soon  hail  their  return.  The  manner  in  which  Mr.  Langston  dis- 
charged his  official  duties  is  best  illustrated  by  his  continued  and 
frequent  re-election. 

The  estimation  placed  on  him  by  his  friends  is  told  in  the  fact  of 
his  invariable  promotions  to  higher  and  more  responsible  positions. 
When  stubborn,  rigid  facts  in  a  man's  history  is  flattering  to  him, 
then,  and  then  only,  is  he  flattered  in  this  work.  This  is  the  case 
with  our  subject.  The  acts  of  his  life  are  their  most  eloquent  en- 
comium. 


JAMES  WALKER 

Removed  from  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  to  Walker's  Grove,  in 
1837,  and  there  raised  the  family  so  largely  identified  with  both  the 
early  and  later  interests  of  Mason  county.  The  family  consisted 
of  George  N.,  William  W.  and  Robert;  also,  the  daughters,  who 
are  now  Mrs.  Luther  Dearborn,  Mrs.  S.  C.  Conwell,  Mrs.  C.  L. 
Waldron  and  Mrs.  G.  A.  Blanchard. 

James  Walker  died  in  Havana,  at  an  advanced  age. 

George  N.  Walker,  the  oldest  son,  was  born  in  Dearborn  county, 
Indiana,  September  4,  1S16.  He  engaged  in  business  in  Havana  in 
1844,  in  merchandise  and  grain,  and  some  of  the  most  prominent 
men  whose  biographies  are  given  in  this  work,  refer  to  the  busi- 
ness tuition  received  in  an  early  day,  in  his  employment.  In  1S39 
he  married  Miss  Frances  Livingston,  who,  with  him,  for  these 
thirty-seven  years,  shared   the  vicisitudes  and  the   fortunes  of  life. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1S5 

Their  family  consists  of  five  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom  is  a  promi- 
nent physician  at  Forest  City — Dr.  James  Walker,  whose  abilities 
have  placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  his  profession.  We  have  not 
the  data  to  refer  in  detail  to  the  other  members  of  this  very  prom- 
inent family,  but  suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  family  and  the  relation- 
ships thereof,  continue  now,  as  they  have  done  since  1S37,  some  °f 
the  leading  business  interests  of  the  county.  George  N.  Walker 
removed  to  Peoria  in  the  winter  of  1863,  as  Superintendent  of  the 
Illinois  River  Packet  Company,  where  he  still  resides,  in  a  general 
commission  business  and  grain  trade. 


ALEXANDER  STUART. 

Mr.  Stuart  for  near  forty  years  has  been  a  substantial,  well  to  do 
citizen  of  Mason  county,  his  home  having  been  here  permanently 
since  his  first  arrival.  He  was  born  in  county  Derry,  Ireland,  and 
a  model  representative  of  that  nationality  to  whom  our  country  is 
indebted,  to  them  and  their  descendants  for  some  of  the  best  minds 
it  has  ever  afforded  in  church  or  State  affairs.  The  date  of  his 
birth  was  in  1S15 ;  emigrated  to  America  in  1835,  and  settled  in 
Mason  county  in  1837.  During  his  residence  here  he  has  most  of 
the  time  been  engaged  in  a  mercantile  and  grain  business.  He  run 
the  steamer  "Navigator"  in  1837. 

The  first  boat  up  the  Illinois  river  was  the  "  Utility"  in  1826. 
He  married  Miss  Gardiner,  in  1S46,  a  member  of  one  of  the  old 
families  of  this  county.  She  died  in  1856.  Mr.  Stuart  is  a  large 
property  owner,  and  has  ever  been  prominently  identified  with  the 
interests  of  his  home  and  community,  especially  in  public  improve- 
ments, which  have  always  been  advanced  by  his  co-operation  and 
his  money. 

He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1S43  to  1847,  and  nearly 
always  a  member  of  the  town  board  since  the  incorporation  of  Ha- 
vana, and  was  the  first  town  treasurer,  and  is  justice  of  the  peace 
at  the  present  time.  In  school  and  township  offices  he  has  had  a 
large  share  of  service.  The  decisions  rendered  by  him  in  the  capa- 
city of  justice  of  the  peace  have  been  models  of  impartiality  and  of 
fairness,  worthy  the  imitation  of  others  of  more  pretense. 

—24 


lS6  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 


Many  interesting  incidents  in  the  early  history  of  this  part  of  the 
county  could  he  given  in  this  connection,  did  space  permit,  which 
it  does  not.  Upright,  honest  and  reliable  in  all  the  relations  of 
life,  is  the  most  candid  record  we  can  make  of  the  character  of  our 
subject. 


JOHN  H.  SCHULTE. 

A  native  of  Hanover,  Germany,  and  came  to  America  at  the  age 
of  thirty-eight  years.  He  settled  in  Mason  county  in  1S37.  His 
business  was  general  merchandise  in  Menard,  Mason  and  Cass 
counties.  On  his  settlement  in  Mason  county  in  1S37,  ^e  establish- 
ed what  was  and  is  now  known  as  Schulte's  Landing,  at  the 
Mounds,  south  of  Havana,  on  the  Illinois  river.  Here  he  engaged 
in  the  grain  trade,  and  was  very  successful  in  all  his  investments 
and  business  undertakings.  His  sons  are  among  the  prominent 
men  of  the  county,  one  of  whom  is  now  deputy  county  clerk.  Du- 
ring the  time  he  did  business  at  the  Landing  the  shipments  ex- 
ceeded those  at  Havana.     He  died  Sept.  1845. 


JOHN  H.  DIERKER. 

Mr.  Dierker  is  a  representative  of  that  nationality  to  which  the 
United  States  is  indebted  for  very  many  thousands  of  her  most 
prosperous  citizens  and  substantial  men  of  worth  and  merit,  being 
born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  August  15,  1799,  and  is  now  conse- 
quently past  his  three  score  years  and  ten,  and  nearing  the  four 
score.  He  came  to  America  in  1S38,  and  settled  in  Mason  county, 
and  has  since  been  a  resident  thereof. 

The  year  succceeding  his  location  here  he  married  Miss  Mary 
C.  Heye.  They  have  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living, 
viz:  the  wife  of  Lewis  Hahn,  and  the  wife  of  Henry  Hahn,  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  this  vicinity.  He  came  to  America  a  poor  man, 
and  by  his  industry,  prudence  and  good  management,  has  become 
one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  the  county,  and  has,  perhaps,  donated 
more  to  benevolent  and  religious  enterprises  than  any  citizen  of 
this  vicinity. 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  1S7 

,  The  first  we  ever  heard  of  him  was  to  hear  him  spoken  of  20 
years  ago  as  emphatically  the  friend  of  the  poor.  His  wealth  has 
not  been  obtained  by  narrow  and  penurious  dealing,  but  he  has 
ever  been  noted  for. generous  open-heartedness,  and  from  him  the 
poor  never  went  empty  away.  Though  his  sun  is  now  declining 
into  the  western  horizon,  he  enjoys  good  health,  and  is  quite  active 
for  his  years.  The  hand  of  time  has  touched  him  gently.  He  has 
long  been  identified  with  the  German  Lutheran  Church  of  Havana, 
the  financial  interests  of  which  have  been  in  a  most  healthful  state 
on  account  of  that  relationship.  His  sense  of  right  is  his  law,  do- 
ing unto  others  as  he  would  that  they  should  do  unto  him.  Long 
may  his  family,  his  church,  and  his  acquaintances  enjoy  his 
society. 


Dr.  G.  W.  PARKINS. 

The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  article,  is,  we  believe,  the 
oldest  practitioner  in  Mason  county.  He  was  born  in  Greenbrier 
county,  Virginia,  December,  1S21,  removed  to  Ohio  in  1S32,  was 
educated  for  his  profession,  and  began  practice  in  Springfield,  Ohio, 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1S50.  Realizing  that  it  was  "not  good  for 
man  to  be  alone,"  in  the  then  somewhat  primitive  region  of  Illi- 
nois, he  married,  in  1S53,  March  9,  to  Mrs.  R.  Maxwell,  widow  of 
Gen.  George  W.  Maxwell.  The  family  consists  of  a  son,  now  a 
young  man  of  more  than  usual  abilities,  who  is  being  educated  in 
Chicago. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parkins  are  among  our  well-to-do,  substantial  people. 
They  reside  in  a  pleasant  home,  on  the  south  side  of  the  public 
square,  in  Havana,  "and  along  the  cool  sequestered  vale  of  life, 
they  keep  the  noiseless  tenor  of  their  way,"  highly  respected  by 
their  numerous  friends  and  acquaintances. 

The  Doctor  is  one  of  the  few  men  who  combine  common  sense, 
in  large  proportion,  with  his  medical  attainments,  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  and  is  consequently  very  successful. 


iSS  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


Dr.  JOHN  S.  WALKER. 

Dr.  Walker  was  born  in  Shelbyville,  Indiana.  His  father,  Rob- 
ert Walker,  removed  to  Mason  county,  Illinois,  in  1845,  where  his 
family  have  lived  most  of  the  time  since. 

Dr.  Walker  enlisted  in  the  85th  Reg.,  111.  Vol.,  at  its  first  organ- 
ization, and  served  about  two  years.  He  left  the  army  on  account 
of  sickness.  After  recovery,  he  studied  medicine,  at  Lexington, 
Missouri,  and  attended  Medical  College,  at  St.  Louis,  and  gradu- 
ated at  St.  Louis  Medical  College,  in  the  spring  of  1869. 

He  married,  in  Chicago,  in  April,  1870.  He  practiced  medi- 
cine in  Forest  City,  until  March,  1S73,  when  he  removed  to  Man- 
ito,  where  he  has  had  an  extensive  and  increasing  practice  in  medi- 
cine and  surgery.     He  is  also  engaged  in  the  drug  business. 

His  lucrative  profession,  and  close  application  to  business,  is 
making  him  very  successful,  financially  as  well  as  professionally. 


JAMES  MONROE  RUGGLES, 

Was  born  in  Mansfield,  Richland  county,  Ohio,  and  at  the  age 
of  fifteen,  engaged  in  the  printing  business.  In  1837,  ne  came  to 
Illinois,  and  continued  that  business  till  1846.  Meanwhile,  he  had 
studied  law,  and  had  been  admitted  to  the  bar  fin  1844.  In  1846, 
he  came  from  Winchester,  Scott  county,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Bath,  then  the  county  seat  of  Mason  county,  and  engaged  largely 
in  merchandising,  which  was  continued  until  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  in  1861.  From  1S46  to  1851,  there  was  a  fierce  contest  rag- 
ing through  the  county,  over  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  from 
Bath  to  Havana,  and  Mr.  Ruggles  fought  the  battle  for  Bath 
against  largely  accumulated  odds.  In  1852,  without  his  knowledge, 
he  was  taken  up  by  the  Senatorial  District  Convention,  composed 
of  the  counties  of  Sangamon,  Menard  and  Mason,  and  elected  to 
the  Senate,  where  he  served  four  years,  with  credit  to  himself  and 
friends.  During  this  time,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  elected  to  the  Lower 
House,  and  as  a  constituent  of  Mr.  Ruggles,  solicited  his  support 
as  a  candidate  to  the  United  States  Senate,  which  was  given  with 
cordiality,  in  the  contest  of  1S55,  which  resulted  in  the  election  of 
Lvman  Trumbull. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  189 

In  the  winter  of  1856,  the  disintegx\ation  of  the  old  Whig  party 
being  in  progress,  a  meeting  of  the  Whigs,  and  all  the  elements 
opposed  to  the  party  then  in  power,  was  called  at  the  State  House, 
participated  in  by  the  most  prominent  politicians  of  the  old  Whig 
party,  and  at  that  meeting  a  committee,  consisting  of  J.  M.  Rug- 
gles,  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Ebenezer  Peck,  was  appointed  to  draft 
a  platform  and  resolutions.  Both  the  other  members  of  the  com- 
mittee being  engaged,  that  work  devolved,  exclusively,  on  Mr. 
Ruggles,  who,  unaided,  drew  up  the  platform,  which  was  the  first 
declaration  of  principles  upon  which  the  Republican  party  was 
founded. 

At  the  state  convention  the  same  year  a  large  number  of  the 
delegates  were  instructed  for  Mr.  Ruggles  for  Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor, but  he  declined  in  favor  of  a  German  candidate,  to  influence 
the  strength  of  that  important  element.  In  1844  he  received  the 
vote  of  his  party  for  state  printer,  without  his  knowledge  or  solici- 
tation. In  1850  he  began  the  agitation  of  the  question  of  an  Illi- 
nois River  Railroad,  and  when  elected  to  the  Senate,  prepared  a 
charter  and  had  it  passed,  (see  railroad  history  otherwheres.)  and 
as  chief  corporator,  worked  manfully,  from  one  end  of  the  line  to 
the  other,  until  stock  was  subscribed  to  complete  the  organiza- 
tion and  begin  the  construction.  During  the  existence  of  that  cor- 
poration he  was  an  active  director  and  manager  of  the  enterprise. 

He  also  projected  and  located  the  road  from  Bath  to  Havana, 
now  traveled  by  teams.  To  him  is  also  due  the  credit  of  draining 
a  large  scope  of  country  in  Havana,  Bath  and  Kilbourn  townships, 
before  a  desert  waste,  and  now  among  the  most  fertile  of  Mason 
county. 

In  July,  1861,  Governor  Yates  tendered  him  a  commission  as 
Lieutenant  and  Quartermaster  of  the  1st  Illinois  Cavalry,  which 
he  accepted,  and  went  into  the  service  in  Missouri,  under  Gens. 
Grant  and  Curtis.  He  was  promoted  to  Major  of  the  3d  Cavalry, 
in  which  regiment  he  remained  until  mustered  out  in  1864.  At 
Pea  Ridge  he  was  promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  was  a  part 
of  the  time  in  command  of  the  regiment.  At  the  close  of  the  war 
he  was  made  a  Brevet  Brigadier-General,  for  meritorious  services. 

In  1868  he  was  appointed  by  Hon.  Charles  Turner,  Circuit 
Judge  of  this  judicial  district,  Master  in  Chancery  for  Mason 
county,  which  position  he  held  for  two  years,  and  resigned.  In  all 
these  various  official  positions,  aught  besides  strict  official  duty  Mr. 


I90  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


Ruggles  has  not  known.  His  official  acts  are  the  seals  of  his  in- 
tegrity. Possessed  of  a  competency,  (a  1,200  acre  farm,)  he  spends 
his  time  in  leisure  and  in  travel.  Of  fine  literary  and  aesthetic 
taste,  he  enjoys,  and  is  sought  by,  the  best  classes  of  society. 


Dr.  T.  T.  SCOTT. 

Was  born  at  Bushnell,  111.,  April,  1S45;  educated  at  Rushville, 
Illinois;  came  to  Mason  county  in  1S74,  and  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  having  been  practicing  seven  years  before 
his  settlement  in  this  county.  He  married,  Dec.  7,  1S75,  to  Miss 
Ella  Campbell.  They  reside  in  Bath.  Dr.  Scott  is  an  efficient 
and  capable  member  of  his  profession. 


Dr.  MILES  H.  ALDERSON. 

Was  born  in  Hart  county,  Kentucky,  September  19,  1841 ;  next  to 
the  youngest  of  a  family  of  fourteen  children;  had  limited  educa- 
tional advantages  before  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  He  began  the  study 
of  medicine  in  Barren  county,  Ky.,  under  a  competent  preceptor, 
and  in  1S66  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Louisville,  Kentucky.  Graduated  in  1S67,  and  settled  in  Mason 
county,  Illinois.  In  1S6S  the  Kentucky  School  of  Medicine  con- 
ferred his  degree.  Dr.  Alderson  now  resides  in  Bath,  and  is  a 
very  successful  practitioner,  combining  excellent  judgment  with 
medical  skill  and  ability. 


RUBEN  HENXINGER. 

Among  the  early  settlers  the  gentleman  named  above  was  con- 
spicuous, and  the  Henningcr  family  have  held  no  second  position 
in  their  influence  in  the  community  from  then  to  the  present  time. 
Ruben  Henninger  was  born  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1 801,  and  is  seventy-five  years  old  this  centennial  year.  He  mar- 
ried in  1823  to  Susan  Boyer;  had  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living  and  residents  of  Mason  county.     They  are,  Angeline,  wife 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  IQI 


of  S.  Frankinfield,  of  Havana;  Frank  and  John,  wealthy  farmers, 
east  of  Havana;  Amanda,  wife  of  B.  F.  Howell  (see  biography); 
Ruben  A.  and  Daniel,  also  able  farmers;  Cyrus,  now  deceased; 
Susan,  wife  of  C.  C.  Fager,  of  Havana;  Jane,  deceased;  Sarah, 
wife  of  George  Shaneberg,  an  able  farmer;  and  all  substantial  and 
prosperous. 

He  removed  to  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  in  1832,  and  to  Illinois 
in  1842,  to  Mason  county,  where  he  has  since  resided,  engaged  in 
farming  practically,  and,  consequently,  successfully  in  all  his  under- 
takings and  investments.  He  was  married  a  second  time  to  Mrs. 
Fager,  in  1S48.  She  is  the  mother,  by  a  former  marriage,  of 
Messrs.  John  F.,  Harry  A.  and  C.  C.  Fager,  substantial  citizens  of 
Havana.  These  children  and  their  numerous  grand-children  and 
several  great-grand-children,  all  in  this  county,  form  one  of  the 
most  interesting  families  it  has  been  our  fortune  to  record,  and  com- 
prise an  amount  of  health,  vigor,  enterprise,  wealth  and  prosperity 
that  falls  to  the  lot  of  few.  The  old  gentleman  has  spent  three- 
fourths  of  the  century  our  government  has  existed  as  a  citizen 
thereof,  and  his  numerous  descendants  are  the  substantial  represen- 
tives  of  the  greatest  industry  pertaining  to  our  country,  to-wit: 
the  agricultural. 


MARK  A.  SMITH. 

Second  son  of  Amos  Smith,  Sr.,  was  born  August  n,  i8n, 
in  Hancock,  Addison  county,  Vermont  ;  was  married  October 
15,  1837,  to  Eliza  A.  Wait;  September  12,  1S39,  started  with 
his  family  from  their  native  home  in  the  Green  Mountains,  for  the 
grand  old  prairies  and  beautiful  groves  and  rivers  of  Central  Illi- 
nois, and  landed  at  Moscow  on  the  15th  of  October,  making  the 
journey  in  five  weeks,  via.  New  York  and  Erie  canal,  Lake  Erie, 
the  Ohio  canal  from  Cleveland  to  the  Ohio  river,  then  by  steamer 
to  St.  Louis,  and  up  the  Illinois  river  to  destination.  Their  oldest 
child  was  taken  sick  during  the  journey,  and  died  Dec.  12th,  1S39. 
At  the  time  of  landing  at  Moscow,  his  earthly  wealth  and  entire 
fortune,  aside  from  his  own  strong  arm  and  will,  consisted  of  thirty- 
seven  cents,  in  silver  comfortable  clothing,  and  a  very  few  house- 
hold goods.  Dependent  on  him  was  the  nursing  and  care  of  a  wife 
and  sick  child.     When  landed,  the  family  and  goods  were  left  on 


I92  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

the  bank  of  the  river,  and  he  went  to  explore  the  town,  and  for  a 
team.  The  town  consisted  of  two  log  cabins,  very  open;  two 
sacks  of  corn  were  in  the  loft  of  one  of  them,  and  the  squirrels 
were  performing  their  morning  gymnasium  exercises  on  the  roof. 
These  were  the  only  inhabitants  that  could  be  found.  He  traveled 
about  six  miles  to  a  Mr.  Abbey's,  procured  a  team  and  returned 
about  three  o'clock  for  his  family  and  goods,  who,  like  good  sol- 
diers, had  held  their  position  on  the  river  bank,  during  his  six  hours' 
absence.  Arrived  at  Mr.  Abbey's,  three  families  were  domiciled 
in  one  room  till  more  cabins  could  be  built. 

The  next  two  years  were  spent  in  the  diversified  employments 
of  earning  a  living,  earning  a  team,  and  shaking  with  the  ague, 
principally  the  latter,  which  engaged  a  large  share  of  the  attention 
of  the  early  settlers.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he  '•'•squatted'''  on  a 
.  quarter  section  of  land,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  south  of  the  present 
site  of  Sny  Carte,  and  began  improving  it,  and  at  the  end  of  an- 
other two  years  borrowed  a  hundred  dollars  and  purchased  from 
government  eighty  acres  of  the  land.  He  retained  the  money  bor- 
rowed for  nine  years,  when  the  interest  (12  per  cent.)  amounted  to 
one  hundred  and  eight  dollars.  At  the  end  of  that  period  he  own- 
ed six  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  vicinity,  and  had  one  hundred 
and  sixty  in  cultivation. 

In  1S52  he  was  elected  one  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  in  Lynch- 
burgh  precinct,  which  office  he  filled  with  great  acceptance  for 
four  years,  and,  though  strongly  solicited  to  be  a  candidate  for  re- 
election, he  declined  that  honor. 

In  1853  he  built  a  warehouse,  and  engaged  in  the  grain  trade, 
and  has  since  been  in  dry  goods  and  groceries  in  connection  there- 
with, but  always  in  grain,  and  has  been  quite  successful,  and  has 
all  the  time  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  has  four  children — 
Henry,  now  living  at  Sny  Carte;  Mrs.  Emily  Sweney,  proprie- 
toress  of  the  Metropolitan  Hotel,  Jacksonville,  Illinois;  Irving, 
living  on  a  farm  near  Sny  Carte;  and  Albert  F.,  Attorney  at  Law, 
Virginia,  Illinois. 

In  1S70  his  wife,  the  companion  of  his  pioneer  life  and  early 
successes,  died  of  lung  fever.  He  was  married  again  in  1S71.  In 
1872  the  second  wife  died  of  typhoid  fever.  In  1S73  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Butler,  of  Bath.  The  death  of  his  first  wife 
was  the  first  in  the  family  for  a  period  of  over  thirty  years.  Mr. 
Smith  has  served  almost  continually  in  township  and  school  offices, 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  1 93 


and  has  been  school  treasurer  for  over  thirty  successive  years.  An 
amiable,  pleasant,  genial  gentleman,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  his 
numerous  friends. 


Dr.  A.  M.  BIRD. 

Alfred  Morgan  Bird,  of  Mason  City,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Union- 
town,  Pa.,  April  19,  1842,  the  son  of  Dr.  M.  and  E.  A.  Bird,  both 
of  Fayette  county,  Pa.  The  ancestors  of  Dr.  M.  Bird  came  from 
England  to  Virginia. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  child  of  his  parents. 
His  mother  is  still  living,  being  sixty-one  years  of  age;  his  father 
died  July  24,  1871,  in  his  sixty-fourth  year,  at  Princeton,  Kentucky, 
where  the  family  now  reside.  Dr.  A.  M.  Bird  received  his 
literary  education  principally  at  the  St.  Louis  High  School 
and  at  Cumberland  University,  of  Lebanon,  Tennessee.  Having 
selected  the  profession  of  medicine  for  a  life  employment,  he  be- 
gan the  study  of  the  same  in  Princeton,  Kentucky.  His  health 
failing  him,  he  was  compelled  temporarily  to  relinquish  his  studies 
and  travel  in  the  middle  and  western  states  until  returning  health 
enabled  him  to  resume  his  studies,  which  he  did  in  Leavenworth, 
Kansas. 

He  then  attended  Rush  Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  Illinois, 
and  here  graduated.  After  visiting  his  friends  in  Princeton,  Ken- 
tucky, he  returned  to  the  Prairie  State,  and  began  the  practice  at 
Greenview,  Illinois,  which  was  continued  for  one  year,  when  he 
located  in  Mason  City,  and  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Dr.  Con- 
over,  which  was  continued  until  Dr.  Conover's  death,  since  which 
time  he  has  continued  the  practice  alone. 

He  was  married,  October  23,  1873,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  J.  C. 
Bondon,  D.  D.,  late  President  of  Lincoln  University,  Lincoln,  Ill- 
inois. Dr.  Bird  enjoys  a  lucrative  practice,  which  his  rare  abilities 
and  abundant  preparation  fairly  entitle  him  to„  and  we  know  of  no 
reason  why  he  should  not  continue  to  hold  the  high  position  in  his 
profession  for  years  to  come,  which  he  now  so  unostentatiously  en- 
joys. 


-25 


194  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


LORIXG  AMES. 

It  is  the  privilege  of  few  to  experience  the  varied  scenes  that 
have  made  up  the  life  of  Loring  Ames.  The  disadvantages  of  his 
youth  made  him  energetic,  and  a  close  thinker.  Of  vigorous  frame 
and  active  investigating  turn  of  mind,  his  varied  experiences  were 
treasured  for  future  profit.  He  was  born  in  Berkshire  county, 
Mass.,  Sept.  13,  1S06,  and  is  this  centennial  year  at  the  alloted 
period  of  three  score  years  and  ten.  When  one  year  old,  his 
parents  removed  to  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania.  Books  were 
then  less  plenty  than  now,  and  newspapers  rare,  but  from  slips 
and  fragments  of  the  latter,  his  letters  were  learned,  and  his  educa- 
tion began.  It  was  a  great  annoyance  to  his  older  sisters  to  in- 
form him  of  the  names  of  the  letters  he  found  on  bits  of  news- 
paper, for  he  must  know  them  all.  At  the  age  of  seven,  he  began 
school,  walking  one  and  a  half  miles  to  learn  to  read.  In  1S1S,  he 
removed  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois  Territory,  where  he  resided 
until  1823,  during  which  period  Illinois  was-  admitted  as  a  State  of 
the  Union.  Desperate  efforts  were  made  to  incorporate  slavery  in 
the  original  constitution  of  Illinois,  and  a  large  emigration  being 
settled  here  from  slave-holding  States,  it  very  nearly  succeeded.  It 
would  be  useless  to  say  that  Mr.  Ames  was  active  on  the  side  of 
freedom.  From  St.  Clair  he  removed  to  Adams  county,  in  1S23, 
and  from  Adams  to  what  is  now  Mason  county,  in  1S36,  or  five 
years  before  the  survey  of  Mason  county. 

During  his  residence  in  Adams  county  he  acquired  a  knowledge 
of  the  Indian  tongue,  one  of  the  necessities  of  that  day.  In  1829, 
he  run  a  flatboat,  loaded  with  produce,  to  New  Orleans,  and  his 
curiosity  excited  him  to  attend  the  slave  marts  in  the  southern 
cities.  His  strong  anti-slavery  sentiments  here  became  stronger,  if 
possible,  than  before,  from  his  observation  of  the  actual  working  of 
the  system. 

His  home  has  been  in  Mason  county  since  1S36,  but  in  the  anti- 
slavery  organization,  since  1829.  He  married,  in  1S33,  to  Elmira, 
daughter  of  Deacon  Jones,  the  proprietor  of  the  city  of  Canton, 
Illinois.  He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  first  as  a  private,  in 
Capt.  G.  W.  Flood's  company,  and  then  as  a  Lieutenant,  in  the 
company  of  Capt.  Pierce,  of  Col.  Fray's  noted  regiment.  He  now 
resides  near   Topeka,  111.,  on  a  farm,  which  has  been  his  avocation 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I95 

most  of  his  life.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  in  Quincy,  Illinois,  in  1S31,  is  now  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  in  his  vicinity,  an  honored  member,  and  to  the 
wisdom  of  his  councils  and  experience,  many  have  applied  and 
been  benefitted. 

No  eulogy  or  fulsome  praise  is  necessary  to  comment  the  rigid 
anti-slavery  sentiments  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  view  of  cir- 
cumstances like  the  following,  which  came  under  the  writer's  im- 
mediate observation:  In  1852,  five  fugitives  from  bondage  were 
seized  at  Sandusky,  Ohio,  without  color  of  law,  when  a  Mr.  Rush 
R.  Sloan  appeared  as  their  counsel.  They  were  discharged,  and 
fled  to  Canada. 

Their  southern  masters  sued  Mr.  Sloan  for  defending  his  clients, 
in  a  United  States  Court,  and  he  was  compelled  to  pay,  in  costs 
and  damages,  over  five  thousand  dollars,  for  simply  doing  a  pro- 
fessional duty  to  these  poor,  distressed  negroes,  fleeing  for  liberty. 
The  great  injustice  done  him  had  its  effect  to  rouse  the  people  of 
northern  Ohio  to  a  knowledge  of  their  degradation  to  the  slave 
power,  and  bore  good  fruit  in  the  cause  of  universal  liberty. 


Rev.  WILLIAM  COLWELL. 

Mr.  Colwell,  once  so  prominently  known  in  Mason  county,  is 
one  who  has  served  his  term  of  usefulness  here,  and  has  gone  to 
his  reward  across  the  river — 

"Over  the  river,  that  cold,  dark  river, 
To  gardens  and  fields  that  are  blooming  forever." 

He  was  born  April  3,  1801,  in  Herefordshire,  England;  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Susanah  Bennett,  of  the  same  place,  December  25, 
1827.  They  -emigrated  to  America  in  1838,  and  settled  in  Cass 
county,  Illinois,  'and  from  there  to  Mason  county  in  February, 
1841,  and  resided  near  Bath  until  the  fall  of  1842,  at  which  time  he 
removed  to  Quiver  township,  where  he  resided  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  He  died  in  April,  1861,  from  the  effects  of  a  kick  from  a 
horse.  Mrs.  Colwell  is  still  living  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and  is 
in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  her  age. 


196  HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY. 

When  Mr.  Colwell  settled  in  Mason  county  his  family  consisted 
of  one  son  and  three  daughters.  The  son,  Rev.  J.  B.  Colwell,  is 
Pastor  of  the  M.  E.  church,  at  Lincoln,  Illinois.  The  youngest 
sister,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Day,  is  living  near  Maysville,  Mo.  Mrs.  II.  C. 
Kepford,  second  sister,  resides  at  the  old  home,  in  Quiver  town- 
ship, and  the  oldest  sister,  Mrs.  G.  C.  Ringhouse,  resides  at 
Bloomington,  Illinois,  with  whom  the  aged  mother  makes  her 
home. 

Mr.  Colwell  served  in  the  ministry  of  the  M.  E.  church  for  about 
forty  years,  and  the  result  of  his  labors  will  only  be  known  on  that 
day  when  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be  revealed.  He  was  a 
man  of  abilities  and  personal  worth;  a  substantial  citizen,  and  one 
whose  opinions  were  looked  up  to  in  his  neighborhood.  He  has 
rested  from  his  labors. 


Dr.  Z.  T.  MAGILL. 

Born  February  2,  1849,  in  Mason  county,  Illinois.  The  first 
years  of  his  life  being  spent  on  a  farm  with  his  parents,  William 
E.  and  Laura  Magill,  prominent  residents,  near  Topeka.  He  at- 
tended the  district  school  winters,  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm 
in  the  summers,  until  of  the  age  of  about  twenty  years.  Having  a 
desire  to  see  the  western  country,  he  went  to  Canton,  Missouri, 
where  he  attended  the  Christian  University.  In  1870  he  returned 
and  engaged  in  teaching,  and  afterwards  attended  college  at  Eure- 
ka, Woodford  county,  Illinois.  Returning  again  to  Mason  county, 
he  engaged  in  the  study  of  medicine  in  Havana,  and  teaching  school 
in  the  winter. 

He  then  made  a  trip  to  Jewell  City,  Kansas,  and  afterwards  en- 
gaged in  teaching  at  Mt.  Pleasant  in  that  State.  He  again  pursued 
his  studies  and  attended  lectures  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  the  fall  and 
winter  of  1S73— '74.  He  returned  to  Illinois  and  located  at  Easton, 
in  Mason  county,  where  he  now  resides.  In  1876  he  again  atten- 
ded lectures,  and  graduated,  and  resumed  his  practice  in  partnership 
with  Dr.  Houghton  of  that  place. 

Dr.  Magill  is  a  young  man  of  good  abilities,  devoted  to  his  pro- 
fession, studious,  and  bids  fair  to  rise  in  future  experience. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I97 


Dr.  JOHN  MARENBURG. 

Dr.  Marenburg  was  born  in  1816,  of  a  noble  fumily,  in  Styria, 
a  province  of  the  Empire  of  Austria,  at  the  castle  of  Marenburg, 
the  hereditary  family  property  since  the  time  of  Rudolph  of  Hals-- 
burg.  In  his  eleventh  year  he  was  sent  to  the  military  academy 
of  Weiner-Neustadt,  and  remained  there  eight  years  as  a  student; 
and  after  completing  his  extended  studies,  entered  the  army  as  a 
first  lieutenant  in  a  regiment  of  infantry,  and  was  advanced  in  a 
short  time  to  a  captaincy.  He  left  the  army  in  1842,  tired  of  the 
monotony  of  the  service,  and  went  to  Vienna,  where  he  followed 
his  natural  inclination  for  scientific  and  literary  studies.  The  med- 
ical science  especially  attracted  his  attention,  and  made  him  a  con- 
stant attendant  of  the  lectures  at  the  renowned  Josephinium,  a 
medical  academy  at  Vienna. 

The  revolutionary  year  1S48,  ended  his  pursuits  and  brought 
him  into  politics,  taking  an  active  part  in  siding  with  the  people 
against  the  absolute  government  of  the  country.  The  final  over- 
throw of  the  revolutionary  party  and  the  capture  of  Vienna  by 
Field  Marshal  Windishgrady,  compelled  him  to  fly  for  his  life  and 
leave  the  country  and  his  home.  He  went  to  Schleswig-Holstien 
and  entered  the  army  against  the  Danes,  but  had  to  leave  again 
after  the  suppression  of  the  war  by  Austrian  troops.  He  went  then 
to  England,  and  from  there  to  New  York,  in  185 1 ;  practiced  med- 
icine in  Baltimore,  Cincinnati  and  Covington,  and  finally  landed 
in  Petersburg,  Illinois,  in  1855,  where  he  remained  until  1870, 
when  he  removed  to  Havana,  where  he  has  remained  to  this  time, 
actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  is  of  the 
Homcepathic  school  of  medicine,  and  among  our  most  successful 
practitioners.  His  services  are  often  called  for  in  adjoining  coun- 
ties. His  family  is  two  adopted  daughters,  very  pleasant  and  edu- 
cated young  ladies,  who  enliven  his  pleasant  home,  on  Orange 
street,  Havana,  Illinois,  and  whose  taste  in  the  ornamentation  of 
the  grounds  make  it  one  of  the  best  in  the  city. 


I98  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


JAMES  M.  SAMUELS. 

Mr.  Samuels  was  born  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  July  27,  1809; 
emigrated  to  Kentucky  at  the  age  of  six  years,  and  from  there  to 
Mason  county,  in  1834.  In  1S38  he  married  Miss  Matilda  Taylor, 
daughter  of  John  Taylor,  an  old  resident  of  Cass  county,  Illinois. 
His  business  since  his  marriage  has  been  farming;  before  that  time 
he  followed  the  trade  of  a  plastsrer. 

Mr.  Samuels'  practical  business  abilities  have  made  all  his  under- 
takings and  investments  so  many  successes,  and  his  broad  acres  in 
the  central  part  of  Mason  county,  will  fully  corroborate  this  state- 
ment. From  times  long  past  his  neighbors  have  kept  him  in  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  school  and  township  officer;  and  there 
is  little  hope  of  his  release. 

A  few  years  ago  he  laid  out  the  town  of  Easton,  in  the  central 
part  of  the  county,  about  equal  distances  between  Havana  and  Ma- 
son City.  It  is  pleasantly  situated,  in  the  richest  agricultural  re- 
gion in  the  world,  and  is  very  rapidly  improving.  It  is  no  narrow 
policy  in  its  proprietor  that  has  been  the  cause  of  its  success,  but 
the  reverse.  A  stranger  visiting  Easton  is  first  impressed  by  the 
fine  class  of  buildings  of  which  it  is  composed.  There  is  now  in 
process  of  construction  a  fine  school  edifice,  of  which  the  citizens 
may  be  justly  proud.  It  is  an  excellent  grain  market,  has  excellent 
facilities  for  handling  grain,  and  large  amounts  are  brought  and 
shipped  from  that  point.  There  are  several  stores  doing  a  lucra- 
tive business  in  this  prosperous  town;  also  a  number  of  first-class 
mechanics.  Mr.  Samuels,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  date  of  his  arrival, 
was  one  of  the  very  first  settlers,  and  space  prohibits  those  inter- 
esting details  so  full  in  the  life  of  all  our  pioneers.  Mr.  S.  is  yet  a 
healthy,  robust  man,  and  good  for  many  years  of  his  characteristic 
usefulness  in  the  community  where  he  resides. 


PULASKI  SCOVIL. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  removed  from  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to 
Warren  county,  Illinois,  in  1834,  and  in  Mason  county  in  1S36,  and 
is  consequently  one  of  the  very  earliest  residents  not  only  of  Cen- 
tral Illinois,  but  also  of  Mason  county,  with  whose  interests  he  has 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  I99 

been  so  largely  identified.  He  was  at  the  city  of  Canton  the  day 
following  its  destruction  by  a  hurricane,  in  1S34.  This  region  of 
Illinois  was  then  a  hunting  ground  for  the  Indians.  The  sign  of 
the  milliner  and  dressmaker  was  not  on  every  cross-street.  The 
resources  of  the  country  were  varied.  There  was  a  large  propor- 
tion of  deer  and  Indian,  and  very  little  white  man. 

These  original  old  settlers  of  Illinois  knew  what  good  brandy  was 
as  well  as  though  each  were  proprietor  of  a  wholesale  liquor  store. 
Little  did  they  dream  that  in  forty  years  the  most  of  them  would 
still  be  living,  in  affluence  and  wealth,  and  where  the  deer  roamed 
unmolested  would  be  traversed  by  the  iron  horse,  and  as  far  as  the 
eye  could  reach  a  vast  sea  of  growing  corn  and  yellowing  grain 
would  form  the  landscape,  dotted  with  grove  and  orchard,  and  the 
homes  of  contented  prosperity. 

Household  goods  were  landed  from  the  steamer  or  emigrant 
wagon,  and  the  men  bossed  the  job  of  building  a  cabin. 

One  principle  was  that  the  poor  Indian  had  no  rights  that  the 
white  pioneer  was  bound  to  respect.  There  were  a  few  of  the  old 
settlers  who  died  off,  but  for  each  several  pairs  of  twins  would  be 
born,  and  the  population  increased  as  rapidly  from  emigration  as 
from  natural  increase. 

The  Indians  did  not  wear  as  good  clothes  as  the  average  white 
settler,  and  there  was  a  jealousy;  but  we  have  no  record  of  the 
white  man  putting  on  style  over  the  Indian,  as  is  common  be- 
tween classes  of  the  present  inhabitants. 

Little  misunderstandings  sometimes  grew  up  between  the  first 
settlers  and  the  Indians,  but  these  had  their  redeeming  features. 
They  kept  the  women  from  gadding  about  they  neighborhood,  and 
it  kept  the  men  at  home  at  night.  One  of  the  objects  of  this  work 
is  that  the  recollections  of  the  "long  ago"  be  revived;  that  these 
primitive  times  be  lived  over  again  in  imagination;  that  old  men 
and  women  call  up  reminiscences  of  pioneer  history  and  early 
times.     But  we  digress. 

Mr.  Scovil  bought  sixteen  quarter  sections  of  land  on  the  mili- 
tary tract,  paying  for  them  with  land  warrants  of  the  soldiers  of 
18 1 2.  The  Indians  of  that  region  were  the  Sacs,  of  Iowa,  who 
were  trading  and  hunting  between  the  Illinois  and  the  Mississippi 
rivers.  He  was  one  of  the  twelve  voters  in  Havana  precinct,  a 
copy  of  the  poll-book  of  which  is  given  on  another  page,  and  was 
the  cotemporary    here  with   Ross,  Krebaum,    Rockwell,    Kemp, 


200  HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY. 

Andrus,  Foster  and  Low,  and  others  referred  to  in  this  work.  He 
bought  at  one  time  eight  quarter  sections  of  O.  M.  Ross.  It  was 
mostly  prairie,  and  no  timber;  was  very  much  chagrined  and  de- 
sired to  exchange  for  timber.  Ross  proposed  to  him  to  exchange 
timber  land  therefor  at  an  advanced  price.  He  had  a  box  of  jew- 
elry and  watches  with  him  (he  had  been  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  these  in  the  east,)  which  Ross  proposed  to  exchange  land 
for.  They  made  the  trade.  Air.  Scovil  considered  that  Ross  had 
overreached  him  in  the  sale  of  the  prairie  land,  determined  to  get 
even,  so  he  billed  the  watches  and  jewelry  to  him  at  double  their 
value,  and  bought  eight  more  quarter  sections,  paying  thereon  but 
one  hundred  in  money.  They  went  to  Lewistown  in  a  boat,  got 
the  titles  arranged,  and  returned. 

During  the  first  two  years  he  sent  to  Cincinnati  for  all  provis- 
ions except  the  corn  meal,  which  was  manufactured  at  Beardstown. 
The  first  corn  he  could  buy  in  Havana  was  one  thousand  bushels 
from  a  Mr.  Reese,  where  Virginia  now  is,  and  then  twelve  hun- 
dred bushels  from  James  Walker,  at  Walker's  Grove.  He  raised 
his  first  corn  on  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Ruben  Hen- 
ninger,  east  of  Havana.  He  tried  to  sell  it  in  Havana.  He  could 
get  ten  cents  a  bushel  in  dry  goods,  but  no  money  nor  groceries; 
consequently  did  not  sell,  but  gave  to  the  early  settlers  in  the  neigh- 
borhood to  gather  and  haul  away.  Among  those  thus  benefitted 
were  Ruben  Henninger,  Sr.,  whose  son  now  owns  the  farm  then 
owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Scovil.  His  fine  peach  crop  was  dis- 
posed of  in  the  same  way. 

The  first  business  engaged  in  was  a  steam  saw-mill  with  Frank 
Low,  the  deputy  sheriff,  when  this  was  a  part  of  Tazewell  county, 
and  the  first  sheriff  of  Mason  county,  and  at  this  time  President  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Havana. 

They  finished  building  the  mill,  Mr.  Scovil  furnishing  means  far 
beyond  his  expectations.  He  ultimately  bought  out  the  interest 
of  Mr.  Low,  and  run  it  in  his  own  exclusive  interest.  William 
Krebaum,  then  a  young  man,  was  in  the  employ  of  Low  &  Scovil, 
in  the  mill,  and  is  still  a  resident  of  Havana.  About  this  time  he 
took  a  contract  to  furnish  a  thousand  dollars  worth  of  timbers  for 
the  Meredosia  and  Jacksonville  Railroad,  then  in  contemplation, 
the  first  in  the  State.  The  mill  machinery  not  being  heavy  enough, 
it  was  run  with  loss;  consequently,  new  machinery  became  a  neces- 
sity, which  he  went   to  St.  Louis  and  purchased,  after  which  the 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  201 

mill  was  run  with  profit  instead  of  loss.  He  then  undertook 
heavy  contracts  for  timbers  for  building  purposes  in  the  city  of  St. 
Louis.  This  was  in  the  year  1840  and  1841,  when  Mason  county 
was  set  off  from  Tazewell  and  Sangamon.  Mr.  Scovil,  Judge 
Rockwell,  and  others,  were  signers  of  the  bond  to  build  the  Ha- 
vana court  house.  Mr.  Scovil  was  furnishing  the  timber.  Bath 
did  not  want  a  court  house  at  Havana,  and  late  one  night,  after  a 
hot  discussion  on  the  county  seat  question,  the  mill  burned  down. 
It  stood  on  ground  where  the  Brown  warehouse  now  stands. 

When  he  left  the  farm  east  of  Havana,  he  removed  to  Water- 
ford,  Fulton  county,  and  run  a  mill  there  for  some  years.  In  1854 
he  settled  where  his  present  beautiful  home  now  is.  Mr.  Scovil 
was  born  in  Harwington,  Litchfield  county,  Conn.,  in  1808;  went 
to  Geneva,  New  York,  and  engaged  in  business,  and  in  six  years 
thereafter  to  Cincinnati,  and  engaged  in  silversmithing,  and  was 
remarkably  successful.  He  started  the  first  manufacturing  shop  in 
that  city  in  1S32,  and  his  successors  are  still  in  the  same  business  in 
that  place.  He  has  always  been  so  fully  and  constantly  immersed 
in  business  that  he  has  refused  all  official  positions.  His  pleasant 
home  is  near  Teheran,  in  town  20,  range  six. 

He  has  rafted  logs  and  lumber  on  the  Illinois  river  when  the 
bars  were  so  covered  with  grass  that  he  was  compelled  to  wade  in 
the  water  to  his  arm-pits  to  clear  away  the  grass  so  that  his  raft  could 
pass  over. 

He  was  first  married  in  New  York  in  1832,  to  Sarah  Jerome; 
had  six  children.  She  died  in  1839.  His  second  marriage  was  to 
Olive  Cross,  in  1841;  had  two  children,  both  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  She  died  in  1844.  The  third  marriage  was  in  1846,  to 
Anna  Boardwine.  Troubles  intervened  and  they  were  divorced. 
She  is  still  living.  Had  by  this  marriage  one  son,  Frank  Scovil, 
who  made  a  good  record  as  a  soldier  in  the  late  war.  With  this 
third  wife  he  lived  seven  years.  The  fourth  marriage  was  with 
Mrs.  Caroline  Scovil,  widow  of  Julius  Scovil,  a  brother  of  our  sub- 
ject. She  had  four  children  by  her  former  marriage.  These  were 
cared  for  most  tenderly  by  Pulaski,  their  uncle  and  now  stepfather. 
This  marriage  occurred  in  1854.  The  fifth  marriage  was  in  1S62, 
to  Hannah  Jones,  of  Mason  county.  They  have  five  children,  a 
most  happy  and  interesting  family,  models  of  neatness,  propriety 
and  kindness. 

—26 


202  HISTORY  OF  MASON"  COUNTY.       I 

In  the  relation  of  all  these  vicissitudes,  these  ups  and  downs, 
these  profits  and  losses,  these  deaths  and  separations,  Mr.  Scovil 
has  no  word  of  blame  or  censure  for  any  living  creature;  no  harsh 
word  for  any  who  has  done  him  wrong,  but  "charity  to  all  and 
malice  toward  none,"  is  exemplified  in  his  words  and  in  his  daily 
life.  He  is  advanced  in  years,  but  active  and  in  good  health,  and 
happv,  but  we  cannot  imagine  that  any  man  could  be  otherwise 
surrounded  by  the  fields  and  groves  that  lie  adjacent  to  his  resi- 
dence, which  is  very  nicely  situated  on  one  of  our  beautiful  prairie 
elevations,  near  a  splendid  grove  of  native  forest  trees. 


Dr.  J.  W.  ROOT. 

Was  born  in  1845  in  Favette  count}-,  Pennsylvania,  and  removed 
to  Illinois  in  1S51.  Served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion  three  years. 
He  afterwards  commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  and  attended  two 
courses  of  lectures  at  McDowell's  College,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  He 
then  located  in  Leesville,  Mo.,  and  engaged  in  practice.  After- 
wards attended  lectures  at  Rush  College,  Chicago,  and  engaged  in 
practice  at  the  town  of  Bruning,  Schuyler  county,  Illinois,  and  from 
there  came  to  his  present  location  at  Kilbourn,  in  this  county,  where 
he  enjoys  a  lucrative  and  successful  practice. 


Dr.  N.  S.  PHILIPS. 

Was  born  in  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  in  1S25;  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois in  1829,  and  located  at  the  town  of  Griggsville,  Pike  county, 
Illinois.  He  served  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Buena  Vista.  He  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  Jack- 
sonville, and  located  for  practice  in  Chambersburg,  Pike  county, 
Illinois.  Removed  to  Mason  county  in  1851,  and  then  removed  to 
Schuyler  county,  Illinois.  He  also  served  in  a  St.  Louis  hospital 
as  a  physician,  and  is  now  having  a  lucrative  and  successful  practice 
at  Kilbourn  in  Mason  county. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  203 


GEORGE   W.  ELLSBERRY,  Esq. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Bethel,  Ohio,  February 
21,  1846.  When  a  mere  boy  his  tastes  inclined  to  science  and  liter- 
ature, which  has  increased  with  his  years.  In  his  boyhood  days  he 
made  the  best  possible  use  of  such  educational  advantages  as  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town  afforded  and  the  limited  means  of 
the  family  would  allow.  No  time  was  wasted  in  truancy,  but  his 
business  was  the  improvement  of  his  mind.  He  never,  as  he  grew 
older,  learned  that  a  season  of  sowing  wild  oats  was  necessary  or 
essential  to  make  a  man.  During  the  first  years  of  the  late  war  he 
was  a  junior  member  of  a  literary  club  of  his  native  town,  some  of 
whose  older  members  had  entered  the  army.  At  the  time  when 
the  sanitary  commission  was  soliciting  aid,  this  organization  deci- 
ded to  give  an  entertainment  in  aid  of  that  enterprise.  The  pro- 
ject was  well  received,  and  an  immense  audience  assembled.  George, 
then  but  a  boy,  had  been  selected  to  deliver  the  opening  address, 
but  being  hardly  seventeen  years  old,  he  entered  upon  the  task  un- 
aided and  with  many  misgivings;  however,  being  in  thorough 
sympathy  with  the  work  and  spirit  of  the  occasion,  and  this  being 
his  first  extemporaneous  address,  he  had  his  fears.  The  sequel  re- 
lieved him.  He  was  loudly  applauded  and  warmly  congratulated. 
He  thus  early  gave  evidence  of  forensic  eloquence  that  has  charac- 
terized his  later  and  maturer  efforts. 

When  a  little  over  seventeen  he  received  from  the  county  exam- 
iner a  teacher's  certificate,  and  soon  acquired  a  reputation  as  a 
teacher,  enjoyed  or  merited  by  few,  and  pursued  that  profession  in 
his  native  county  till  the  spring  of  1867,  when  he  came  to  Mason 
county  on  a  visit  to  friends.  By  the  time  he  had  concluded  his 
visit  he  had  become  so  attached  to  the  country,  its  pleasant  and  en- 
terprising people,  and  prosperous  growth  of  his  locality,  that  he 
decided  on  a  permanent  home  in  Mason  City.  He  first  engaged 
in  the  real  estate  business  and  as  a  salesman;  then  he  devoted  two 
or  three  years  to  the  study  of  law,  and  in  the  winter  of  1870  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  As  an  attorney  he  has  been  a  strict  observer 
of  the  rules  of  professional  integrity  and  honor,  never  soliciting  pat- 
ronage or  encouraging  litigation. 

He  has  occupied  several  important  official  positions  under  the 
municipal   government  of  Mason   City.     It   is  superfluous  to  add 


204  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

that  the  duties  thereof  have  been  faithfully  and  efficiently  dischar- 
ged. A  pleasant  personal  acquaintance  of  many  years  has  existed 
between  the  writer  and  the  subject  of  whom  we  write,  and  it  af- 
fords us  pleasure  to  record  him  a  gentleman  of  fine  natural  endow- 
ments and  acquired  abilities,  an  enviable  reputation,  professional 
and  social,  and  has  contributed  much  to  the  very  rapid  prosperity 
of  the  town  of  his  adoption;  and  bv  his  strict  attention  to  business 
and  fidelity  to  the  interests  committed  to  his  care,  he  has  been  re- 
warded financially,  and  bv  the  confidence  and  growing'  esteem  of 
his  personal  and  business  friends. 


HUGH  FULLERTOX,  Esq. 

Major  Fullerton  has  been  a  resident  of  Mason  county  since  1S52, 
to  which  he  emigrated  from  Ohio.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  Oct.  S,  1S45.  He  was  com- 
missioned 2d  Lieutenant  in  Co.  I,  6th  Reg.  111.  Vol.,  in  the  war 
with  Mexico,  and  served  during  the  war.  After  the  close  of  the 
Mexican  war,  Feb.  2,  1S52,  he  located  in  Mason  county,  and  was 
elected  State's  Attorney  for  the  judicial  district  composed  of  the 
counties  of  Woodford,  Tazewell,  Mason,  Cass  and  Menard.  Was 
commissioned,  March  25,  1857.  He  raised  Co.  C,  2d  Reg.  111. 
Caw,  for  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  was  commissioned  Captain 
thereof,  Aug.  27,  1S61.  He  was  promoted  to  Major  of  the  same 
regiment,  Sept.  27,  1S62.  (See  roster  in  this  work,  in  the  military 
department.) 

When  the  town  of  Havana  adopted  a  citv  organization,  he  was 
elected  first  Mayor  of  the  city. 

Major  Fullerton  is  one  of  Havana's  substantial  citizens,  and  has 
accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  is  in  the  law  business  with  E.  A. 
Wallace,  and  being  an  able  and  efficient  attorney  is  engaged  in  a 
very  extensive  and  lucrative  practice. 

He  enjovs  excellent  health,  is  vigorous  and  robust  in  his  organi- 
zation, and  bids  fair  for  many  years  of  life,  and  the  enjoyments  of 
this  world's  best  allotments  to  the  human  race. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  205 


FRANCIS  DORRELL, 

Was  born  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  Feb.  i,  1808.  In  181 2, 
with  his  parents,  he  came  to  Ohio.  He  was  married,  Feb.  23, 
1832,  to  Huldah  Denman,  of  Hamilton  county,  Ohio.  They  re- 
moved to  Sangamon  county,  111.,  in  1S35,  and  to  Mason  county  in 
1849,  and  settled  on  the  farm,  where  Mrs.  Darrell,  at  the  age  of 
three  score  years  and  ten,  still  resides;  an  amiable  and  estimable 
lady,  who  has  passed  through  the  numerous  vicissitudes  of  an  early 
frontier  life,  but  has  been  favored  by  long  life  and  prosperity,  and 
is  happy  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  blessing. 

During  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  a  son  had  entered  the  army  and 
taken  sick.  Mr.  Darrell  went  to  his  relief,  at  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  was 
himself  taken  seriously  ill,  and  not  having  the  care  and  kindness 
that  a  home  afforded,  nor  even  what  might  have  been  done  in  the 
soldier's  camp,  he  returned  homeward,  but  never  reached  there, 
having  died  in  Havana,  Jan.  15,  1863,  much  regretted  by  his  many 
friends.  The  funeral  was  conducted  under  the  ritual  of  the 
Masonic  order,  of  which  he  was  an  honored  member. 

The  family  are  among  the  most  respected  citizens  of  Mason 
county,  and  merit  the  good  will  of  their  numerous  friends. 


RICHARD  LANE, 

Was  quite  an  early  settler  in  Mason  county,  and  among  those 
substantial  farmers  who  contributed  much  to  its  advancement,  and 
have  now  gone  to  their  reward,  leaving  descendants,  who  are 
among  our  best  citizens. 

Richard  Lane  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1796,  came  to  Illinois 
at  an  early  day,  and  to  Mason  county  in  1844,  only  three  years 
after  its  first  organization.  He  married  Rachel  Drake,  who  is  still 
living,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years.  They  had  ten 
children ;  two  sisters  and  a  brother  still  reside  in  Mason  county. 
Mr.  Lane  died  in  1871. 


J06  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


PETER  ALFRED  LORANCE, 

Was  born  in  North  Carolina,  June  i,  iSoi,and  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois in  1S2S,  and  consequently  a  very  early  resident  of  central  Illi- 
nois. He  originally  settled  in  Cass  county,  and  came  to  Mason 
county  the  1st  of  April,  1S45.  ^e  married,  during  his  residence  in 
Cass  county,  in  1832,  Miss  Mary  Robertson,  who  had  emigrated 
to  that  county  in  1S26.  She  is  still  living  with  her  son  at  Long 
Branch,  in  this  county,  and  has  passed  the  allotment  of  three  score 
years  and  ten.  He  was  for  many  years  in  the  work  of  the  local 
ministry,  was  very  earnest,  and'  somewhat  eccentric.  They  had 
six  children,  only  three  of  whom  arrived  at  maturity,  viz :  two 
sons  and  a  daughter.  One  of  these  sons  died  in  the  army.  The 
daughter  is  a  resident  of  Menard  county.  The  other  son,  Jacob 
A.,  resides  at  Long  Branch,  and  on  him  the  aged  mother,  in  her 
decling  years,  leans  for  support,  and  leans  not  in  vain.  Space  for- 
bids a  repetition  of  the  trials  and  experiences  of  each  of  these  early 
pioneers. 


R.  P.  GATTON. 

In  the  life  of  Mr.  Gatton,  we  have  but  few  brief  data,  and  hence 
this  notice  must  be  extremely  brief,  much  more  so  than  his  posi- 
tion in  the  community  in  which  he  lived  would  justify. 

He  was  born  Dec.  24,  18 16,  and  made  his  home  in  Bath,  in 
April,  1S41,  and  engaged  as  a  salesman  in  a  general  dry  goods 
trade.  He  ens-aged  in  the  business  of  general  merchandise  with 
Gen.  J.  M.  Ruggles,  in  1849,  and  afterwards  with  Dr.  O'Neal. 
He  was  married  in  1S41.  He  died  December,  1S73.  The  family 
are  still  residents  of  Bath,  and  Mr.  Gatton  and  family  have  ever 
been  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  of  the 
many  pleasant  families  of  that  town. 


PAUL  G.  BIGGS. 

Is  the  proprietor  of  the  town  of  Bigg's  Station,  on  the  I.,  B.  & 
\Y.  Railroad,  east  of  Havana.     It  was  surveyed  and  platted  April 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  207 

19,  1875,  and  is  now  an   important  shipping  point   on  that   line  of 
railroad. 

He  was  born  in  August,  1843,  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio;  emi- 
grated to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1856,  and  settled  in  Havana, 
and  removed  to  his  present  location  in  1873,  and  opened  the  first 
business  house  in  the  place. 

In  conformity  to  universal  experience,  Paul,  like  every  other  de- 
scendant of  Adam,  "found  it  was  not  good  to  be  alone,"  and  with 
rare  judgment  and  good  sense,  (an  article  not  usually  brought  into 
requisition  in  such  cases,)  selected  as  "a  help-mate  for  him,"  Miss 
M.  A.  Springer,  of  Peoria  county,  Illinois.  They  were  married 
January  8,  1872.  Cheerfully,  happy  and  contented,  they  are  float- 
ing down  the  stream  of  time  together,  the  banks  of  which,  in  their 
case,  seem  to  be  lined  only  with  flowers.  No  rude  storms  or  ad- 
verse winds  seem  to  ruffle  the  smooth  surface;  no  rock  to  strand, 
no  bars  to  obstruct  their  passage,  so  onward  pleasantly  they  glide. 


JOHN  S.  COOK. 

Mr.  Cook,  though  not  a  resident  of  Mason  county,  has  for 
twenty  years  been  with  us  and  of  us,  and  we  would  be  direlect  of 
duty  to  omit  an  active,  energetic  representative  man,  so  prominent- 
ly identified  with  the  interests  of  Mason  county.  He  was  born  at 
Sackett's  Harbor,  Jefferson  county,  New  York,  June  15,  1828.  He 
had  excellent  opportunities  of  early  education  and  personal  im- 
provement, and  threw  none  of  these  away.  In  1854  he  went  to 
California.  He  did  not  make  a  million  of  dollars  in  that  land  of 
gold,  and  on  his  return  settled  in  Illinois  in  1856. 

He  became  identified  with  the  interests  of  Mason  county  in  1S59, 
when  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  was  first  built  (now  P.,  P.  &  J. 
R.  R.)  and  operated.  He  was  the  first  General  Passenger  and 
Freight  agent  of  that  important  line  of  railroad,  and  has  been  the 
only  one  to  the  present  date.  Much  of  its  successful  financial  man- 
agement is  due  to  his  fine  business  abilities.  A  lion's  share  of  the 
good  feeling  which  the  people  along  its  line  hold  towards  it  is  due 
to  his  courteous  and  gentlemanly  intercourse  with  all  with  whom 
his  business  relations  bring  him  in  contact.  Active  and  correct  in 
the  business  department  of  that  important  corporation,  over  which 

I 


2o8  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

ft 

he   has   presided  with  such  success,  it  is   not  strange  that  he    has 
made  hosts  of  friends,  as  well  as  a  most  successful  railroad  official. 


Dr.  CHARLES  CHANDLER. 

Though  not  a  resident  of  Mason  county,  Dr.  Chandler  has  been 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  within  her  limits  for  fortv- 
four  years,  and  has  had  a  pioneer  experience  vouchsafed  to  but  few. 
Though  the  doctor  is  now  past  seventy  years  of  age,  (his  '•'•three 
score  years  and  ten"*  anniversary  occurring  two  days  before  the 
centennial  of  our  country,)  he  is  yet  a  most  healthful,  hale  and 
vigorous  personage.  The  robust  frame,  fine  physical  organization 
and  great  activity  of  mind  and  bodv,  furnishes  a  most  beautiful 
case  where  dame  Nature  bestows  a  certificate  of  good  conduct  and 
fidelity  to  her  laws  on  their  possessor. 

Dr.  Charles  Chandler  is  a  son  of  John  and  Hulda  (Howard) 
Chandler,  and  was  born  at  Woodstock,  Conn.,  July  2,  1S06.  He 
married  Mary  C.  Rickard,  who  died  at  Chanderville,  Illinois, 
December  28,  1840,  a  daughter  of  Peter  Rickard,  of  Thompson, 
Connecticut. 

He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Medical  College  of  Castleton,  Vermont, 
with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  In  1829  he  located  at  Scituate,  Rhode 
Island.  He  started  for  the  great  west  in  1S32.  On  his  arrival  at 
Beardstown  he  found  the  Black  Hawk  war  raging  farther  to  the 
northwest,  and  not  caring  to  take  his  wife  and  daughter  into  those 
surroundings,  then  a  feature  of  western  life  and  the  Indian  frontier, 
and  being  pleased  with  the  rich  lands  along  the  Sangamon  river, 
he  invested  two  hundred  dollars  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
where  the  town  of  Chandlerville  now  stands,  on  the  Cass  county 
side  of  that  stream.  He  laid  out  the  town  in  184S.  The  late 
President  Lincoln  was  his  surveyor.  The  very  many  incidents  re- 
lated to  the  writer,  at  various  times,  b}'  Dr.  Chandler,  would  fill  a 
volume,  and  our  very  brief  space  forbids  their  rehearsal.  His 
home,  a  cabin,  was  the  resting  place  of  the  frontier  traveler,  the 
resort  of  the  hunter,  and  the  source  of  relief  sought  by  the  sick  or 
the  wounded  pioneer  resident.  The  doctor's  practice  extended 
over  a  territory  now  included  in  the  limits  of  eight  counties.  He 
had  frequent  calls  to  Havana   in  iS32-'33-'34-,36,  etc.,  and  as  set- 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY.  200, 

tiers  occupied  the  territory  from  there  south  to  the  Sangamon,  he 
was  the  indispensable  and  welcome  visitor  to  the  home  cabin  of  the 
pioneer,  relieving  their  suffering  and  doing  them  good,  and  often 
without  remuneration  or  hope  of  reward.  The  present  Hon.  L. 
W.  Ross,  of  Lewistown,  stopped  at  the  doctor's  cabin  on  his  way 
to  school  at  Jacksonville.  General  Hardin  and  Lockwood  on  their 
way  from  Springfield,  to  attend  the  courts  farther  north  and  west, 
made  his  cabin  their  hotel.  Hardin  often  made  the  Doctor's  home 
his  headquarters  in  hunting  expeditions  along  the  Sangamon  and 
Illinois  rivers. 

In  his  extensive  travel  and  his  practice,  the  present  facilities  were 
not  dreamed  of.  There  were  not  only  no  railroads,  but  no  roads. 
The  route  was  made  by  the  points  of  the  compass,  over  the  broad 
expanse  of  prairie  and  forest  grove  to  the  settler's  cabin,  alarming 
in  his  passage  the  herd  of  deer  or  pack  of  wolves.  So  scattered 
were  his  patients  that  in  his  visits  to  them,  sixty,  and  even  as  high 
as  ninety  miles  a  day  travel  has  been  made,  taking  fresh  horses  as 
.  necessity  required.  His  remarkable  health  and  endurance  did  not 
fail  him,  and  to-day  he  is,  as  said  in  the  beginning,  a  model  of  health 
and  vigor  possessed  by  but  few  younger  men.  During  these  early 
days  an  intimate  acquaintance  existed  between  him  and  Mr.  Lin- 
coln.    It  began  in  the  following  incident: 

At  an  early  date,  and  soon  after  his  residence  where  Chandler- 
ville  now  is,  the  Doctor  was  hastening  to  the  Springfield  land 
office,  by  the  shortest  route,  and  on  his  fastest  horse,  and  at  that 
horse's  best  speed,  for  the  purpose  of  entering  a  piece  of  land  that 
another  party  had  started  to  enter  the  same  morning,  by  a  longer 
route,  a  slower  horse  and  more  moderate  speed ;  also,  a  less  vigor- 
ous rider.  Dr.  Chandler  had  proceeded  to  within  some  miles  of 
Springfield,  when  he  overtook  three  men  on  horseback,  who  en- 
quired of  him  the  cause  of  his  extreme  haste.  He  explained  the 
case  to  the  strangers,  when  one  of  them,  a  tall,  dark-complexioned 
man,  proposed  to  take  the  Doctor's  tired  horse  and  ride  it  slowly 
to  Springfield,  and  give  him  his  fresh  animal,  on  which  to  hurry 
on  to  the  land  office.  His  caution  prevented  him  from  taking  a 
stranger's  horse  into  his  possession  on  this  frontier  at  that  time, 
and  he  pushed  on  with  his  own  jaded  animal,  without  even  asking 
the  names  or  residence  of  those  who  offered  so  disinterestedly  to 
assist  him.  He  reached  the  land  office,  entered  his  land,  looked 
—27 


2IO  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

about  the  streets  for  his  would-be  friends,  but  of  no  avail.  He 
could  not  find  them  or  their  horses.  He  returned  home,  and  the 
next  day  he  desired  the  services  of  a  surveyor  to  run  out  his  lands, 
and  was  informed  that  a  young  man  named  A.  Lincoln,  at  Salem 
or  Salisbury,  was  a  good  surveyor;  he  sent  a  messenger  for  him. 
The  surveyor  returned  with  the  messenger,  and  imagine  Mr. 
Chandler's  surprise  to  find  him  the  stranger  who  had  so  kindly 
offered  him  his  horse  the  day  before.  From  that  time  on 
they  were  friends,  each  enjoying  the  other's  successes  in  life  with  a 
personal  interest,  and  on  the  inaugeration  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in  the 
Presidential  chair,  no  man  in  the  union  enjoyed  his  elevation  to 
that  position  more  than  Mr.  Chandler.  He  visited  Washington 
on  that  occasion,  and  was  the  guest  of  the  new  made  President, 
his  early  frontier  friend. 


JOHN  HURLEY,  §r. 

Came  from  New  Jersey  in  1S34,  and  settled  in  DeWitt  county, 
Illinois,  and  removed  from  there  to  Mason  county  in  1S43;  engaged 
in  farming,  and  by  diligence  accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  was 
a  good  substantial  citizen.  He  died  February  5,  1S65,  aged  seven- 
ty-five years. 

John  Hurley,  Jr.,  son  of  the  above,  came  with  his  parents  and 
has  since  resided  here.  He  was  born  May  26,  1824.  He  built  the 
first  house  on  the  prairie  between  Havana  and  McHarry's  mill. 
He  still  resides  at  his  old  home,  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  men 
of  the  county,  who  by  his  industry  and  economy  is  laying  up  a  fine 
property,  and  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  labors.  May  his  shadow 
grow  larger  as  he  grows  older. 


J.  F.  CAPPEL,  Esq. 

Born  August  17,  1833,  in  Adams  county,  Ohio;  removed  west 
in  1S52,  and  located  in  Mason  county,  Illinois,  and  has  since  been  a 
resident  thereof.  AVas  admitted  to  the  bar  in  i860;  engaged  in 
banking  in  1866,  a  business  which  he  continues  to  the  present  time. 
In  1S56  he  married  Mary  L.,  daughter  of  Hon.   R.  McReynolds, 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  211 

an  old  and  honored  citizen  of  Mason  county.  Mr.  Cappel  served 
Mason  county  as  master  in  chancery  for  twelve  years,  and  a  notary 
public  for  a  much  longer  time,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  men  in  the 
business  interests  of  the  county  and  city,  and  one  of  the  substantial 
citizens. 


JOHN  W.  PITMAN,  Esq. 

Born  December  n,  1832,  in  Estill  county,  Kentucky,  came  to 
Illinois  in  1842,  and  settled  in  Fulton  county;  was  educated  at 
Lombard  University,  at  Galesburg;  graduated  in  June,  1S56;  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1S59;  removed  to  Havana  in  1863. 

In  June,  i860,  Mr.  Pitman  married  Miss  N.  A.  Haley,  of  Gales- 
burg, a  most  amiable  and  estimable  lady,  who  died  at  Havana  in 
August,  1870,  leaving  a  family  of  two  boys.  During  his  residence 
in  Havana  its  citizens  have  been  largely  his  debtor  for  his  efficiency 
and  valuable  services  as  a  school  officer,  which  place  he  has  so 
competently  and  faithfully  filled. 

Mr.  Pitman's  abilities  as  a  lawyer  are  above  medium;  he  enjoys  a 
lucrative  practice,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  numerous  friends. 


THE  HOWELL  FAMILY. 

Nathan  Howell  came  to  the  State  of  Illinois  in  1840  from  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  in  Mason  county.  His  son 
Charles  preceded  him  three  years,  having  located  here  in  1837. 
The  next  son  was  William,  who  is  now  in  the  west.  Levi,  the 
next  son,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Gardiner,  a  sister,  reside  east  of  Havana. 
Alfred  is  dead,  also  Elizabeth  and  Levina.  B.  F.,  the  next  son,  is 
a  wealthy  farmer  near  Havana,  and  Theodore,  the  youngest,  is 
now  a  resident  of  Missouri.  B.  F.  Howell  is  now  aged  forty-seven 
years.  The  first  corn  ground  at  the  Simmons'  mill  was  raised  by 
the  Howell  family.  B.  F.  has  been  one  of  the  most  prosperous  of 
the  prosperous  farmers  in  Mason  county.  He  has  plowed  every 
season  since  1840,  a  term  of  thirty-six  years,  and  not  lost  a  week  by 
sickness,  a  fine  comment  on  his  habits  and  care,  and  an  admirable 
climate.     His  many   friends   would   be  glad   to  see  him  continue  to 


2i2  History  of  mason  county, 

plow  for  a  century  more  to  come,  for  no  man  plows  any  better,  as 
his  farm's  appearance  and  management  abundantly  testify.  No 
farm  in  Mason  county  is  kept  in  better  order  and  condition. 


Dr.  HARVEY  O'NEAL. 

Dr.  O'Neal  was  born  May  19,  1S1S,  in  the  State  of  Kentucky. 
He  emigrated  at  any  early  day  to  Cass  county,  Illinois,  and  from 
there  to  Mason  county  in  1S44,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  res- 
ident thereof.  He  was  educated  for  his  profession  at  Kemper  Col- 
lege, St.  Louis,  Missouri,  in  1S42-43. 

His  first  marriage  was  to  Miss  A.  M.  Beeslev,  in  November, 
1844.  She  died  in  1S50.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Miss  E.  M. 
West,  daughter  of  Col.  A.  S.  West,  then  of  Bath,  September,  1S51. 
(See  biography  of  Col.  West  on  another  page.) 

Dr.  O'Neal  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Ma- 
son county  for  twenty-five  years,  but  has  now  retired  on  a  farm, 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  labors.  He  has  been  a  skillful  and  suc- 
cessful practitioner,  and  retired  on  a  very  comfortable  property  and 
income,  and  bids  fair  for  many  years  of  this  world's  best  enjoy- 
ments. 

Like  all  prominent  residents  of  our  common  country,  he  has  fre- 
quently been  selected  by  his  neighbors  to  fill  important  official 
positions,  and  the  frequency  of  the  calls  is  the  best  commentary  on 
the  manner  in  which  the  incumbent's  duties  have  been  performed. 


A.  D.  HOPPING. 

Mr.  Hopping  was  born  in  Lower  Canada,  Dec.  4,  1S09,  and  re- 
moved to  the  State  of  Indiana  in  1S15,  when  that  State  was  quite 
primitive  and  thinly  settled.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1S51,  and  set- 
tled in  Mason  county,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  Dur- 
ing his  residence  in  Indiana,  in  1S39,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
Covington,  and  thus  far  together  they  have,  in  the  goodness  of  an 
over-ruling  providence,  been  permitted  to  enjoy  the  successes  of 
their  mutual  efforts. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  213 

For  many  years  they  have  been  identified  with  the  Baptist 
church.  Mr.  Hopping  has  served  two  terms  as  a  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  has  been  township  treasurer  for  sixteen  years.  His  bus- 
iness has  been  farming,  and  his  practical  business  abilities  have  made 
it  a  success,  and  his  broad  and  well  cultivated  acres  will  corroberate 
this  assertion. 


JOHN  R.  CHANEY. 

Like  the  subject  of  the  preceding  sketch,  Mr.  Chaney  is  one  of 
Mason  county's  most  substantial  men  and  successful  farmers.  He 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  Nov.  4,  1S11,  and  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Tennessee,  and  then  to  Greene  county,  Illinois,  and  then  to 
Mason  county,  in  March,  1839.  The  family  consisted  of  five 
brothers,  viz:  John  R.,  William,  James,  Riley  and  Granville,  all 
farmers. 

Mr.  Chaney  married,  in  1837,  Missouri  Gregory,  and  forty  years 
nearly  have  they  shared  each  other's  joys  and  sorrows,  but  we  infer 
that  the  former  has  been  largely  predominant  in  their  lives.  He 
has  been  identified  with  the  Baptist  church  over  forty  years,  and 
with  the  Democratic  party  since  his  age  permitted  an  identification 
with  any  party  whatever.  He  was  one  of  the  first  county  com- 
missioners of  this  countv,  and  has  filled  various  and  almost  contin- 
uous township  and  school  offices  since  that  time. 

Reliable  and  substantial  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  and  his  inter- 
course with  his  fellow  men,  successful  in  his  business  transactions, 
he  promises  many  long  years  more  of  prosperity  and  happiness  to 
himself,  his  family,  and  many  friends. 


W.  W.  STOUT, 

Was  born  at  Oxford,  Ohio,  in  1832,  removed  to  Indiana  at  an 
early  date,  and  to  Illinois  in  1852,  and  engaged  in  printing  a  county 
paper,  (see  Mason  county  papers,  on  another  page)  in  company 
with  a  Mr.  Wheedon,  under  the  firm  name  of  Wheeden  &  Stout. 
In  Sept.,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Eunice  Covington.  His  army  ser- 
vices are  given  in  the   military  department  of  this  book.     He  died 


214  HISTORY  OF  MASON    COUNTY. 

Sept.  4,  1S69.     His  wife   and  family  of  intelligent  children  reside 
in  this  city,  in  their  pleasant  home. 


WILLIAM  E.  MAGILL, 

Was  born  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  June  9,  1816.  Removed 
west,  in  1837,  and  settled  in  Griggsville,  Illinois,  and  removed  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1840,  and  to  Mason  county  in  1842. 

He  was  married  in  1S40  to  Miss  Laura  Hoyt,  of  Griggsville,  his 
present  estimable  wife.  Mr.  Magill  is  an  educated  farmer,  of  large 
experience,  and  has  accumulated  a  good  property.  His  influence 
and  position  in  his  neighborhood  is  indicated  in  these  facts,  that  for 
twenty-two  years  he  has  been  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  for  ten 
years  township  treasurer.  He  was  among  the  first  men  in  this 
county  to  engage  in  the  "farmers'  movement,"  and  has  been  prom- 
inently identified  with  it. 


Col.  ROBERT  S.  MOORE. 

Col.  Moore  was  born  in  Greene   county,  Kentucky,  in  1828,  and 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1S37,  and  settled  in  Sangamon 
(now  Menard)  county,  and  engaged  in  farming.     In    1S54  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Isabella  Trent,  of  that  county.     Their  family  consists  of 
a  son  and  daughter,  of  very  unusual  intelligence. 

On  the  beginning  of  the  war  with  Mexico,  Col.  Moore  joined  in 
the  service  of  his  country  in  4th  Illinois  infantry,  company  F,  under 
Capt.  Thomas  L.  Harris,  afterward  promoted  to  Major.  Col. 
E.  D.  Baker  raised  the  regiment.  He  did  good  service  as  a  sol- 
dier at  Vera  Cruz,  Cerro  Gordo,  etc.  Cornelius  Ruark,  of  Peters- 
burg, and  Dr.  J.  P.  Walker,  of  Mason  City,  were  his  messmates 
while  in  that  service.  After  his  return  from  Mexico  he  located  his 
land  warrant  in  Mason  county,  and  became  a  resident  of  the  north 
end  of  the  county  in  April,  1849.  Since  then  he  has  been  a  perma- 
nent resident,  was  the  founder  of  Spring  Lake,  but  Havana  has  been 
his  home  since  1854.  Since  his  residence  in  Havana  he  has  been  a 
large  dealer  in  grain,  being   the  principal  of  the   firm  of  Moore, 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  215 

Pratt  &  Cheek.      Was  formerly  in  the  dry  goods  business    and 
farming. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  rebellion  he  again  went  into  the  army 
in  the  27th  Illinois  infantry  (see  roster  of  that  regiment,).  After 
the  battle  of  Corinth  he  returned  home  and  raised  the  85th  Illinois 
infantry,  and  was  commissioned  Colonel  thereof.  No  army  officer 
had  the  good  will  and  confidence  of  his  command  more  than  did 
Col.  Moore.  Genial  and  companionable  in  his  associations  with 
all,  it  is  not  strange  that  he  was  a  universal  favorite  not  only  in  the 
army  but  among  his  friends,  and  all  are  Col.  Moore's  friends.  In 
religious  belief  he  is  a  Presbyterian.  In  politics  his  inclinations 
lean  somewhat  towards  the  democratic  party. 


Hon.  ROBERT  McREYNOLDS. 

On  the  death  of  our  old  friend,  Judge  McReynolds,  in  1872,  we 
wrote  the  following  obituary,  which  was  published  at  that  time, 
and  we  can  pay  no  more  appropriate  tribute  to  departed  worth, 
than  to  insert  a  copy  of  the  same  here : 

OBITUARY. 

Beautiful  is  the  grey  morning  as  the  sun  arises  from  his  misty 
bed,  "rejoicing  as  a  strong  man  to  run  a  race,"  and  sheds  his  illumi- 
nating beams  over  the  earth,  dispelling  the  darkness  and  gloom. 
Beautiful  in  his  meridian  splendor,  when  from  his  zenith  height  he 
pours  his  health-giving  light  over  more  than  half  this  immense 
globe.  Beautiful,  as  he  descends  below  the  horizon,  gilding  the 
earth,  clouds  and  sky  with  many  shades  of  crimson  and  gold. 
Beautiful  is  the  majestic  river,  as  it  pours  its  ceaseless  tide  in  the 
unabating  fullness  towards  the  great  ocean.  Beautiful  are  the  ever- 
green-clad hills,  the  mountain  slope,  the  deep  chasm,  in  which 
pours  the  vexed,  turbulent  stream,  to  find  a  more  placid  bed. 
Beautiful  the  peaceful  valley  in  the  stillness  and  quiet  of  Sabbath 
rest,  broken  only  by  the  bleat  of  flocks,  the  low  of  herds,  or  the 
Sabbath  bell.  Beautiful  the  infant  reposing  on  its  mother's  breast 
or  in  its  cradled  slumber  of  blest  unconsciousness,  symbolized  by 
the  rising  sun.  Beautiful  the  life  of  that  man  or  women,  arrived 
at  maturity,  filling  the  place  alloted  by  the  Creator,  shedding  be- 


2l6  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

tlignaiit  blessings  on  all  that  may  come  within  the  circle  of  their 
influence  for  good,  like  the  sun  in  the  zenith.  More  beautiful  still 
is  the  departure  of  the  good  man,  gradually  and  peacefully  as  the 
setting  sun,  not  to  another  hemisphere,  but  to  another  world. 

From  his  declining  sky  he  looks  back  on  a  life  spent  in  the  in- 
terests of  God  and  humanity,  casting  haloes  of  coloring,  gorgeous 
to  the  beholder,  on  the  objects  of  his  attention  in  his  course 
through  life.  Nature  has  bestowed  on  him  a  diploma  for  fidelity 
to  her  laws,  by  extending  the  years  of  his  pilgrimage — aye,  beyond 
the  three  score  years  and  ten  alloted  to  her  less  faithful  subjects. 
She  has  bestowed  on  him  many  badges  of  honor  and  insignia  of 
her  partiality  to  faithful  servants,  in  the  blessings  of  home,  family 
and  friends,  that  rise  up  to  call  him  blessed,  in  that  health  which 
enables  its  possessor  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  this  world,  even  to 
old  age.  Beautiful  that  head  of  hoary  hairs,  the  crown  of  honor 
to  the  aged  as  they  ripen  for  the  tomb  and  immortality.  Beautiful 
the  peaceful  and  triumphant  crossing  of  the  dark  river,  beautiful 
beyond  comprehension  the  arrival  on  the  other  shore.  Thus  lived, 
thus  died,  Hon.  Robert  McReynolds,  in  this  city,  on  Thursday, 
Nov.  14,  1872. 

"He  crossed  Time's  river.     Now  no  more 
He  heeds  the  baubles  on  its  breast, 
Or  feels  the  storms  that  sweep  its  shore." 

Judge  McReynolds  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Mason  county, 
having  removed  here  in  1838.  During  his  long  residence  here  he 
was  frequently  called  to  serve  the  county  in  various  official  positions, 
and  for  some  time  in  the  office  of  County  Judge.  In  every  posi- 
tion, public  or  private,  conscientious  integrity  marked  his  course. 
He  was  born  in  Union  county,  Penn.,  April  13,  1 791 ,  consequent- 
ly, at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  eighty-one  years  seven  months 
and  one  day  old.  For  more  than  a  year  the  hand  of  Time  bore 
heavily  upon  him,  but  happily  and  cheerfully  he  could  .say  with 
Job,  "all  the  days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait  till  my  change 
come." 

The  deceased  was  an  old-time  christian.  He  united  with  the  M.  E. 
Church  in  1S31,  consequently  was  not  only  a  pioneer  in  this  country, 
but  a  pioneer  in  Methodism  in  the  west,  and  for  long  years  the  in- 
timate friend  of  the  venerable  Peter  Cartwright,  who  so  recently 
preceded  him  to  the  Spirit  Land.  About  six  years  ago  these  two 
aged  veterans  together  called   on  the  writer.     What  a  history  and 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  2  I  7 

experience  was  comprised  in  their  long  lives  of  usefulness  !  In 
the  demise  of  our  friend,  we  are  again  admonished  that  we  are 
mortal,  and  have  no  abiding  city  here.  If  there  be  those  who 
think  that  the  contractedness  and  debility  of  the  human  facultie  in 
our  present  state,  seem  ill  to  accord  with  the  expectations  of 
religion,  I  would  ask  them  whether  any  one  who  saw  an  in- 
fant would  ever  expect  it  to  comprehend  the  abstruse  sciences 
of  the  schools.  What  may  be  our  powers,  endowed,  as  we  will 
be,  with  a  sensorium,  adapted  as  it  undoubtedly  will  be,  as  our  pres- 
ent senses  are,  to  the  perception  of  the  subjects  and  properties  of 
things  with  which  our  concern  may  be.  But  in  everything  which 
respects  this  solemn  subject  with  which  we  all  have  to  do,  we  have 
a  wise  and  good  Being  upon  whom  to  rely  (as  did  our  departed 
friend)  for  the  choice  and  appointment  of  means  adequate  to  the 
execution  of  any  plan  which  His  goodness  or  His  justice  may  have 
formed  for  the  moral  and  accountable  part  of  His  creation.  That 
office  rests  with  Him,  be  it  ours  to  hope  and  prepare  under  a  firm 
and  settled  persuasion  that  living  or  dying  we  are  His;  that  life  is 
passed  in  his  constant  presence,  that  death  resigns  us  to  His  merci- 
ful disposal. 


GEORGE  H.  CAMPBELL. 

Was  born  July  19,  1S21,  at  Nashville,  Tennessee;  a  son  of  P. 
W.  Campbell,  also  an  early  resident  and  large  property  owner  in 
Mason  county.  His  parents,  on  both  sides,  were  related  to  some 
of  the  early  historical  families  of  Tennessee.  In  183S  he  came  to 
Mason  county  to  superintend  the  fencing  and  cultivation  of  lands 
his  father  had  entered  between  the  Sangamon  and  Illinois  rivers, 
then  a  part  of  Sangamon  county. 

Thus,  we  find  him  a  boy  of  seventeen,  a  stranger  in  a  wild  fron- 
tier country,  dependent  on  his  own  sagacity  for  a  beginning  in  hfe. 
For  two  years  he  carried  out  the  plans  designed,  and  was  followed 
by  his  father,  P.  W.  Campbell,  in  1S40.  P.  W.  Campbell  was 
elected  to  a  county  office  on  the  organization  of  the  county  in  1841, 
and  our  subject,  George  H.,  was  elected  as  soon  as  he  attained  his 
majority,  to  the  office  of  assessor  and   treasurer  of  Mason  county. 

After  a  course  of  legal  study  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  age 
—28 


2l8  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

of  twenty-three,  and  soon  after  actively  participated  in  the  politics 
of  that  day.  In  August,  1S46,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  Jane, 
daughter  of  Major  B.  H.  Gatton,  a  noble  woman,  a  true  and  devo- 
ted wife  and  mother.  For  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  she 
shared  his  joys  and  sorrows,  but  on  the  first  of  July,  1873,  she  was 
taken  to  her  final  home.  Their  oldest  son,  W.  H.  Campbell,  is  a 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Dearborn  &  Campbell,  of  Havana. — 
(See  biography  of  W.  H.  on  another  page.) 

In  politics  Judge  Campbell  was  an  old  line  whig,  but  more  lat- 
terly has  been  identified  with  the  democratic  party.  In  1S56  he 
was  tendered  a  nomination  for  the  legislature  by  the  democratic 
party,  but  declined.  In  1857  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in 
Havana,  and  the  same  year  was  elected  county  judge.  In  1858  he 
was  elected  to  the  legislature  to  represent  the  counties  of  Mason 
and  Lo^an,  in  which  bodv  he  was  second  to  none  in  abilitv  and 
influence.  An  epitome  of  his  legislative  career  would  be  of  inter- 
est, but  too  lengthy  for  this  work ;  suffice  to  say  that  he  was  at  the 
head  of  many  important  committees,  originated  many  useful  laws, 
and  was  regarded  one  of  the  most  able  debaters  in  the  house.  He 
received  the  nomination  for  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  in  i860, 
but  failed  of  election. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  he  assisted  in  raising  the 
106th  regiment  of  Illinois  infantry  in  Logan  county,  and  was  made 
lieutenant  colonel  of  that  regiment,  but  resigned  after  about  one 
year's  service  on  account  of  poor  health.  In  1868  he  engaged  in  a 
mercantile  and  banking  business  in  Mason  City.  In  1870  he  took 
the  necessary  measures  to  organize  the  First  National  Bank  of  Ma- 
son City,  and  was  elected  President. 

It  would  be  superfluous  verbiage  to  add  encomiums  on  the  tal- 
ents and  abilities  of  Judge  Campbell ;  neither  is  it  the  province  of 
this  work  so  to  do.  We  relate  historical  facts,  dates  and  figures. 
Prominent  official  positions,  long  continued,  prove  ability,  honesty 
and  the  confidence  of  friends  and  constituents,  more  emphatically 
than  words  can  do.  If  mens'  lives  and  acts,  that  go  to  make  up 
a  man's  history,  are  compliments  to  him,  then  facts  of  his  life  and 
not  we  flatter  him. 

Long  will  the  Campbell  family  be  remembered  in  the  official 
archives  of  Mason  county,  as  for  three  generations  they  have  been 
its  most  honored  citizens. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  2IO. 


A.  E.  FIELD. 

Among  the  first  families  who  settled  in  Mason  county,  and 
served  an  important  part  in  its  early  history  and  improvements  was 
the  Field  family.  Drury  S.  Field,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  a  native  of  Petersburg,  Virginia,  and  born  Oct.  6, 
1792.  The  family  settled  in  Mason  county,  in  1835,  on  wnat  1S 
now  known  as  Field's  Prairie,  and  here  he  resided  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  in  April,  1S3S. 

A.  E.  Field  was  born  March  6,  1823,  came  to  Mason  county 
with  his  parents,  and  this  has  since  been  his  home,  consequently  he 
is  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  county  now  living.  His  ex- 
perience includes  the  pioneer  condition  of  this  section  of  the  State, 
and  the  transformation  of  Mason  county  from  a  wilderness  to  its 
present  high  state  of  improvement  and  its  present  society. 

In  early  life  he  read  medicine  and  adopted  the  profession  of  his 
father,  and  assisted  him  in  his  practice.  He  afterwards  engaged  in 
agriculture. 

He  was  married,  in  Dec,  1845,  to  Miss  Bessie  Craggs,  of  this 
county.  They  had  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living. 
Mr.  Field  is  a  faithful  and  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  a  lifelong  member  of  the  Democratic  party. 

Possessed  of  more  natural  abilities  than  usually  falls  to  the  lot  of 
mortal  man,  and  also  of  a  good  education  and  much  reading,  it 
follows  of  necessity  that  he  has  ever  held  a  position  of  influence 
among  his  friends  and  acquaintances,  and  is  one  whose  opinions 
are  sought  and  relied  on  by  his  neighbors.  He  is,  as  might  be  ex- 
pected in  a  man  of  his  strong  sense,  entirely  free  from  all  ostenta- 
tion and  pretense,  but  a  model  of  genial  sociability  and  neighborly 
kindness. 


THE  FALKNER  FAMILY. 

The  ancestors  of  this  family  came  to  America  with  the  Dutch 
colonists,  and  settled  at  New  Amsterdam  and  Fort  Orange  (now 
the  cities  of  New  York  and  Albany),  and  in  the  Revolutionary 
tim  is  were  on  the  side  of  the  colonists,  and  actively  participated  in 
that  memorable  struggle. 


220  HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY. 

Thomas  K.  Falkner  was  born  in  the  year  1800,  and  in  181 5  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  -where,  in 
1820,  he  married  Miss  Phoebe  Heaton.  Ten  years  after,  they  re- 
moved to  Madison  county,  Indiana,  and  settled  on  the  banks  of 
White  river.  In  1S3S  they  removed  to  Illinois,  and  entered  lands 
in  section  7,  town  21,  range  7,  west  of  the  3d  P.  M.,  in  Tazewell 
county,  now  Mason,  built  a  cabin,  and  on  the  opening  of  spring 
began  to  break  prairie. 

This  was  the  first  improvement  in  what  is  now  Sherman  town- 
ship. The  next  fall  came  the  Hibbs,  Hampton  and  Dentler  fami- 
lies, and  settled  in  the  vicinity.  West  of  their  location  to  the  town 
of  Havana  there  were  seven  or  eight  families  along  the  border  of 
the  woods,  to-wit:  Coder,  McReynolds,  Robert  Falkner,  Fisk, 
Howell,  Brown,  Fesler  and  Rishel.  These  lived  east  of  Havana, 
and  constituted  the  inhabitants  in  the  first  thirty  miles  or  further. 
Nearly  the  whole  country,  from  a  short  distance  east  of  Havana, 
was  a  vast  unbroken  prairie,  over  which  roamed,  at  pleasure,  herds 
of  deer  and  wolves,  "none  daring  to  molest  or  make  afraid."  I 
an  informed  by  Mr.  John  R.  Falkner,  that  in  the  spring  of  1S40, 
he,  with  two  others,  counted  on  Bull's  Eye  Prairie  fifty-nine  deer 
in  one  herd,  and  forty-two  in  another,  all  in  sight  at  the  same 
time. 

The  marshes  and  sand  hills  about  the  heads  of  Quiver  creek  and 
Long  Point  timber  were  famous  hunting  grounds  for  many  years 
after  this.  The  only  mill  within  the  present  boundaries  of  Mason 
county,  was  on  Crane  creek,  and  known  as  the  Corn  Cracker,  (see 
Mount's  mill)  with  a  pair  of  seven  inch  burns,  and  when  every- 
thing was  favorable,  could  crack  one  and  a  half  bushels  of  corn 
per  hour.  A  bov  was  set  on  the  top  of  a  sack  of  corn,  on  horse- 
back, and  traveled  twelve,  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  to  this  mill. 

When  wheat  was  to  be  ground  the  settlers  must  either  go  to 
Mackinaw  or  to  Fulton  county,  but  usually  to  the  former,  by  rea- 
son of  the  scarcity  of  means  to  pay  the  toll  at  Ross'  ferry,  (now 
Havana,)  which  cost  eighty-seven  and-a-half  cents  the  round  trip. 
The  journey  to  Mackinaw  mill  took  four  or  five  days,  governed 
by  the  time  they  had  to  wait  for  a  "grist"  to  be  ground.  The  con- 
trast between  living  and  farming  in  1840  and  1S76  cannot  be  reali- 
zed by  a  person  who  has  not  seen  both.  Now  we  look  over  the 
finely  cultivated  fields  and  we  see  the  farmer  sowing  his  small 
grains  by  means  of  a  drill,  and  harvesting  with  a  header  or  a  self- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  221 

raker,  and  planting  his  corn  with  a  check-row  planter,  and  plowing 
it  with  a  Blackhawk  cultivator,  or  some  other  modern  improved 
plow.  Then,  you  would  have  seen  here  and  there  a  farmer  sowing 
his  two  or  three  acres  of  wheat  by  hand,  broadcast,  and  harrowing 
it  in  with  a  blackjack  brush,  and  furrowing  his  ground  for  corn 
with  a  two-horse  plow,  dropping  it  by  hand  and  covering  it  with 
a  hoe,  and  often  plowing  it  with  a  forked  sapling  hitched  to  a 
"steerP  He  sowed  his  flax-seed  on  Good  Friday,  and  "in  the 
moon,"  and  after  "pulling"  it,  laid  it  out  to  "rot"  and  then  "break- 
ing'1'' and  "scutching'1''  it  by  hand,  it  was  turned  over  to  the  female 
department  of  the  household,  to  be  "hackeleoT'1  and  spun  and  wove 
into  cloth,  to  make  for  the  girls  and  boys  their  summer  wear. 

But  to  return  to  our  subject.  Mr.  Falkner's  family  consisted  of 
five  children,  two  boys  and  three  girls — all  lived  and  arrived  at 
maturity.  William  is  on  his  farm  in  Salt  Creek  township,  a  happy 
independent  farmer.  Jane  is  the  wife  of  John  Henninger.  John 
R,  was  for  many  years  our  very  able,  competent  and  efficient  coun- 
tv  surveyor,  now  on  his  farm  in  the  eastern  part  of  Mason  county. 
Did  space  permit  we  would  like  to  pass  a  deserved  tribute  to  the 
ability  and  the  disinterestedness  of  Mr.  John  R.  Falkner  in  his 
official  duties,  but  we  are  reluctantly  compelled  to  forbear. 

In  June,  1S39,  within  a  short  time  after  the  location  of  the  fam- 
ily in  their  new  home,  the  wife  and  mother  was  called  to  that 
bourne  whence  no  traveler  returns,  but  the  little  family  struggled 
on,  and  the  father  was  with  them  until  1S65,  when  he  too  "follow- 
ed that  beckoning  hand  to  the  shore"  of  that  cold,  dark  river. 


WILLIAM  ALLEN. 

There  will  always  attach  an  interest  to  the  history  of  the  pioneer 
families  of  the  west  which  will  never  properly  belong  to  others 
who  came  at  a  later  date,  as  they  have  laid  the  foundations  of  our 
social  and  material  status,  and  coming  generations  can  only  modify 
and  develop  that  which  they,  by  their  energy  and  perseverance,  estab- 
lished. By  their  strong  arms  were  the  forests  felled,  the  undergrowth 
cleared  away,  and  the  prairie  sod  broken ;  by  them  were  the  primitive 
cabin,  the  log  school  house  and  the  church  erected.  Later  emi- 
grants make  further  and  higher  advancements  in  all  these,  and  pro- 
ceed to  further  develop  the  embryo  foundings  of  the  pioneer.     To 


222  HISTORY  OF  MASON    COUNTY. 

the  later  class  of  emigrants  belongs  the  subject  of  this  notice.  He 
was  born  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  in  1S07,  and  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  he  spent  the  two  succeeding  years  at  school  at  Vandalia, 
Illinois,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  settled  at  Shelbyville,  Indiana, 
where  he  resided  for  ten  years,  and  from  there  he  removed  to 
Laporte,  Indiana,  in  1S34.  In  the  pleasant  city  of  Laporte  he 
made  his  home  for  twenty  years,  and  served  the  people  for  two 
terms  as  sheriff  of  that  county,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  from  that  district.  From 
there  he  removed  to  Mason  county  in  1854,  and  settled  in  Havana, 
where  he  has  since  resided. 

In  1838  he  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Shortwell,  of  New  Jersey, 
and  together  for  thirty-eight  years  have  they  shared  the  joys  and 
sorrows  incident  to  human  life,  but  in  their  case  the  former  have 
been  largely  predominant.  The  result  of  this  union  has  been  three 
sons  and  two  daughters,  all  living  at  this  date,  in  the  full  vigor  of 
maturity.  Randolph,  the  oldest  son,  is  an  honored  minister  of  the 
M.  E.  church,  in  this  State,  doing  good  and  acceptable  service  in 
his  calling;  an  educated  gentleman  of  more  than  medium   talents. 

William,  the  next  son,  resides  at  Hood  river,  Oregon,  whither 
he  emigrated  with  a  colony  in  1875,  and  is  engaged  in  business 
there,  as  a  permanent  home. 

Henry,  the  youngest  son,  is  in  a  mercantile  business  in   Missouri. 

Louisa  F.  is  the  wife  of  YV.  S.  Dray,  Esq.,  a  prominent  citizen, 
and  Ions'  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Havana. 

Kate,  the  youngest  daughter,  is  with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Allen  became  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Laporte,  Indiana,  in  1835,  and  after  his  removal  to  Havana,  there 
being  no  society  of  that  denomination,  he  found  no  inconvenience 
in  identifying  himself  with  the  M.  E.  church. 

During  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  served  as  Assessor  of  inter- 
ternal  revenue  of  this  district.  Comment  is  superfluous  in  this 
connection,  for  the  integrity,  the  honor  and  business  abilities  of  Mr. 
Allen  have  long  been  proverbial  with  the  people  of  Mason  county. 


WALTER  S.  DRAY. 

Was  born  in  Alleghany  City,  September  20,  1S3S,  and  with   his 
parents   removed  to  the   territory  of  Iowa  in  1839,  and  in  1S45  to 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  223 

Pike  county,  Missouri,  and  in  1848  to  Vermont,  Fulton  county, 
Illinois,  the  mother  having  died  in  Iowa,  and  his  father  being  at 
that  time  in  California,  he  was  in  the  care  of  a  grandmother. 

From  Vermont  they  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1857,  and 
in  1S59  returned  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Canton,  Fulton  county, 
and  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business. 

On  the  27th  of  July,  1861,  he  located  in  Havana,  where  he  has 
since  resided,  and  engaged  in  the  business  of  jewelry,  watches, 
clocks,  musical  instruments,  etc.  In  1864  he  took  into  his  employ 
Mr.  O.  C.  Town,  of  Pekin,  Illinois,  a  workman  of  rare  abilities 
and  good  business  tact,  and  after  four  years  of  successful  trade  they 
became  partners,  or  in  the  year  1S6S.  For  eleven  years  a  success- 
ful partnership  continued,  and  in  1875,  Mr.  Dray  desiring  to  look 
more  especially  after  his  important  real  estate  interests,  sold  out  to 
Mr.  Town  the  business  so  long  and  so  successfully  prosecuted  by 
that  well-known  firm. 

In  1S64  Mr.  Dray  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  F.,  daughter  of 
Hon.  William  Allen,  of  Havana.  The  result  of  this  union  was 
three  children,  only  one  of  whom  survives.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Alderman  of  the  city  of  Havana  this  centennial  year, 
a  body  that  is  profited  by  his  influence  and  business  abilities.  For 
fifteen  years  Mr.  Dray  has  been  largely  identified  with  the  interests 
of  the  city  in  which  he  resides,  and  the  success  attending  the  long 
partnership  of  Dray  &  Town  is  simply  another  addition  to  the 
thousands  of  cases  that  an  observer  may  notice,  in  which  fair  deal- 
ing, business  integrity  and  an  honorable  sense  of  justice,  meet  their 
reward. 


HENRY  ONSTOT. 

"We  are  sorry  when  a  good  man  dies."  Such  was  the  feeling 
visible  at  Forest  City  on  the  first  of  August,  1876. 

When  the  man  whose  name  is  at  the  head  of  this  article  ceased  to  be, 
although  he  was  past  three  score  years  and  ten,  the  allotted  period 
of  man's  earthly  pilgrimage,  we  would  yet  have  had  him  stay 
longer.  He  was  born  near  Danville,  Kentucky,  in  November, 
1804.  He  removed  to  Menard  county,  Illinois,  in  1824,  having  pre- 
viously married  Miss  Susannah  Schmick,  also  of  Kentucky,  and 
who  preceded  him  to  their  home  over  death's  dark  river,  on  Dec. 


224 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 


14,  1867.  For  forty-four  years  the  joys  and  sorrows  incidental  to 
this  world's  journey,  they  shared  together,  not  in  wealth  and  afflu- 
ence, nor  in  poverty,  but  in 

"That  golden  mean, 
That  lived  contentedly  between 

The  little  and  the  great; 
Felt  not  the  wants  that  pinch  the  poor, 
Nor  plagues  that  haunt  the  rich  man's  door, 

Embittering  his  estate." 

From  Menard  county  they  removed  to  Mason  county  in  1845, 
since  which  time  they  have  made  this  their  home.  For  the  past 
eight  years,  or  since  the  death  of  Mrs.  Onstot,  he  has  made  his 
home  with  his  son  in  Forest  City. 

It  is  of  the  christian  character  of  Mr.  Onstot  that  we  love  to 
speak.  Early  identified  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church, 
he  ever  remained  a  faithful  member  thereof,  and  faithful  and  dili- 
gent in  all  his  religious  duties.  We  know  whereof  we  speak  in 
this  matter,  for  we  have  known  of  his  faithfulness  when  it  was  not 
popular  to  be  identified  with  the  religious  Interests  of  the  commu- 
nity. 

Kind  and  courteous  with  all,  firm  in  his  convictions  of  the  right, 
but  always  willing  to  be  convinced,  unostentatious,  candor  was  the 
strongest  element  of  his  character.  His  funeral  was  attended  in 
Havana  on  the  evening  of  August  1st,  by  a  large  concourse  of  his 
friends,  and  all  were  his  friends. 

The  flowers  fade,  the  heart  withers,  man  grows  old  and  dies; 
but  time  writes  no  wrinkles  on  eternity.  The  ever-present,  unborn, 
undecaying  and  undying — the  endless  chain  composing  the  life-God 
— the  golden  thread  entwining  the  destinies  of  the  universe.  Earth 
has  its  beauties,  but  time  shrouds  them  for  the  grave;  its  honors 
are  but  the  sunshine  of  an  hour;  its  palaces,  they  are  but  the  gilded 
sepulcher;  its  pleasures,  they  are  but  bursting  bubbles.  Not  so  in 
the  untried  bourne.  In  the  dwelling  of  the  Almighty  can  come 
no  footsteps  of  decay. 


BARNHARD  KREBAUM. 


Was  born  in  Hesse  Cassel,  Germany,  in  the  year  17S1 ;  came  to 
America  in  1834,  and   arrived  in  Havana,   in  this  county,  on  the  3d 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  225 

of  July  of  that  year,  by  the  way  of  New  Orleans.  The  Krebaum 
family  were  the  third  in  Havana,  and  the  fourth  in  Mason  county. 
He  resided  here  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1853, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years. 

On  his  landing  at  Havana  he  found  Mr.  Ross  and  Mr.  Myers — 
the  only  residents  here.  Mr.  Shepherd,  where  Matanzas  now  is, 
and  a  Mr.  Barnes,  north  of  Havana,  came  near  the  same  time.  His 
family  consisted  of  Frederick,  Adolph,  William,  Edward  and 
Charles  G.;  the  latter  born  in  this  city,  and  the  oldest  inhabitant 
now  here  that  is  a  native  born.  There  are  also  two  daughters. 
A  very  remarkable  fact  in  this  connection  is  that  this  family  of  sons 
and  daughters  are  all  yet  living,  with  a  single  exception,  viz:  Ed- 
ward, who  died  here  some  years  ago.  Frederick,  the  oldest  son, 
is  now  sixty-three  years  old,  and  bids  fair  for  many  more  years  to 
be  added  to  his  longevity ;  and  Charles  G.,  the  youngest,  will  be 
thirty-nine  years  old  in  December,  this  year. 

These  brothers  have  from  their  first  settlement  in  the  county 
been  largely  identified  with  its  business  interests.  William  built 
the  first  saw-mill  in  the  county,  and  was  in  the  employ ment  of 
Scovil  &  Low  in  their  mill  on  the  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  and 
worked  on  the  job  of  sawing  the  timbers  for  the  first  railroad  in 
Illinois.  Adolph  has  been  county  clerk  for  many  years,  and  was 
the  second  incumbent  of  that  office  after  the  organization  of  the 
county.  Charles  G.  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Otto  &  Krebaum, 
extensive  and  successful  grain  dealers  in  Havana,  whose  business 
integrity  commends  them  to  all. 


HENRY   BISHOP. 

Was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  in  1824,  and  emigrated  to 
America  in  1829,  and  located  in  Mason  county,  which  has  since 
been  his  home.  In  1S48  he  was  married  to  Miss  Catharine  Wes- 
ling,  a  member  of  one  of  the  substantial  families  of  Mason  county. 
They  have  had  a  large  family,  and  nine  children  are  now  living. 
An  aged  mother,  now  past  her  four  score  years,  makes  her  home 
with  Mr.  Bishop.  The  father  died  the  first  year  after  his  arrival 
in  Mason  county. 
—29 


226  HISTORY  OK  MASON    COUNTY 


Mr.  Bishop  is  the  proprietor  of  the  town  known  as  Bishop's  Sta- 
tion, on  the  P.,  P.  &  J.  Railroad,  northeast  of  Havana,  laid  out  in 
the  spring  of  1875.  A  post-office  was  estahlished  there  in  1871.  He 
is  engaged  in  farming,  and  has  the  peculiar  faculty  of  heing  suc- 
cessful in  all  his  undertakings.  His  good  judgment  and  fine  busi- 
ness abilities  have  secured  him  a  competencv  of  this  world's  goods, 
and  he  and  his  amiable  and  intelligent  wife  are  living  with  more 
happy  contentment  in  their  surroundings  than  is  usually  the  lot  of 
man  to  enjoy. 


JONATHAN  CORY,  Esq. 

In  Mr.  Cory  we  have  another  illustration  of  the  superiority  of 
practical  strong  sense,  in  contrast  with  the  too  many  instances  we 
meet  in  the  world  where  a  forced  education  is  urged  into  a  small 
head,  and  no  room  to  store  it. 

He  is  a  graduate  of  the  noblest  of  all  American  Institutions, 
the  common  schools,  and  his  own  tireless  energies.  He  was  born 
June  13,  1815,  in  Summerset  county,  New  Jersey,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  in  1841. 

In  February,  1856,  he  located  in  Mason  county,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  a  resident  thereof.  He  was  married  in  1S36.  Mr. 
Cory's  business  abilities  are  of  a  high  order,  consequently  his  suc- 
cess in  life.  Though  he  is  past  his  three  score  years,  he  would 
pass  for  fifteen  less,  and  enjoys  that  vigorous  health  incident  to  obe- 
dience to  the  laws  of  nature. 


JESSE  BAKER. 

Mr.  Baker,  whose  rapidly  failing  faculties  bespeak  this  earthly 
pilgrimage  nearly  closed,  was  one  of  the  first  white  men  in  Mason 
county.  He  was  born  in  Tennessee,  in  1798,  and  is  now  in  his 
seventy-ninth  year.  He  came  to  Illinois  Territory  in  1816,  and 
settled  in  what  is  now  Morgan  county,  and  became  a  citizen  of 
Mason  county  in  1833,  and  since  then  this  has  been  his  home. 


HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY.  227 

Mr.  Baker  has  had  a  varied  experience.  Possessed  of  an  unusu- 
ally vigorous  and  robust  frame,  he  endured  the  privations  and 
hardships  of  a  pioneer  life,  the  chase  of  the  deer,  and  the  defense 
against  "the  noble  red  man"  that  few  could  endure  with  him.  But 
now  that  eye  is  dimmed  with  age,  and  that  vigorous  arm  that  once 
poised  the  unerring  rifle  with  the  grip  and  steadiness  of  a  vise, 
hangs  feebly  by  his  side;  that  six  foot,  stalwart  frame  totters  feebly 
along,  his  mental  vision  dimmed,  and  all  his  faculties  bespeak  the 
needed  rest  the  grave  will  soon  afford, 

He  has  fought  the  Indian  from  tree  to  tree;  was  cotemporary  in 
Havana  with  Ross  and  Scovil,  and  Yardley  and  Krebaum,  etc. 

He  engaged  in  farming,  on  Crane  creek,  near  where  he  and  his 
descendants  now  reside,  and  here  has  grown  his  ninety  bushels  of 
corn  per  acre,  and  sold  supplies  to  Mr.  Falkner,  the  first  farmer  in 
Sherman  township. 

These  new  comers  took  pride  in  the  duty  of  assisting  new  com- 
ers, and  gladly  welcoming  them  as  accessories  to  their  strength. 

Mr.  Baker's  pilgrimage  will  soon  be  done.  His  descendants  are 
among  the  substantial  residents  of  the  county,  and  we  gladly  here 
record  his  worth,  and  honorable  sense  of  right,  for  his  successors 
when  he  has  passed  away. 


SAMUEL  SLOANE. 

Was  born  in  Maryland,  in  17S7,  and  died  in  Fulton  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  1859,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  He  came  to  Havana 
in  1835,  in  the  month  of  June,  and  lived  in  a  cabin  where  the  cor- 
ner of  Orange  and  Main  streets  now  is.  His  family  was  John  M., 
Miss  Deziah,  Miss  Athliah,  Hiram  W.,  Samuel,  Jr.,  Uriah  B.,  An- 
drew J.,  Amberiah,  Daniel  R.,  Miss  Jane  and  Miss  Charlotte,  only 
four  of  whom  now  survive,  viz:  Hiram  W.,  Samuel,  Uriah  B. 
and  Amberiah,  all  of  whom  reside  in  Fulton  county,  except  one, 
who  is  in  Kansas;  their  ages  range  from  forty  to  sixty-one. 

The  settlers  in  Havana  at  that  time  were  Krebaum,  Ross,  Tim- 
ony,  Hilbert,  Miller,  Sloan,  and  north  of  Havana  were  Burnell 
and  Barnes,  south,  at  Matanzas,  was  Shepherd,  and  at  Moscow,  a 
Mr.  Herbert.  Nine  miles  east  was  Gibson  Gerret,  who,  with  those 
before  named,  were  all  the  inhabitants  in  the  west  side  of  the 
county. 


228  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

The  milling  for  the  family  was  taken  to  Mount's  mill,  and  Hiram 
informs  us  that  he  has  ridden  a  horse,  with  three  pecks  of  corn  in  a 
Lack,  to  mill,  and  waited  twenty-four   hours  for  it  to  be  ground. 

The  supply  of  pork  was  obtained  by  hunting  it  in  the  woods 
where  Ross  had  numberless  wild  hogs,  and  gave  new  settlers  one- 
fourth  for  killing  it  and  bring-ins:  in. 

Hiram  Sloane  got  a  special  contract,  in  which  he  got  one-half 
of  all  he  killed,  and  Ross  found  one  pound  of  powder  and  four 
pounds  of  lead.  Sloane  well  knew  an  important  rendezvous  of  the 
hogs  he  did  not  care  to  find  under  the  old  contract.  With  his  bro- 
ther Samuel,  and  Frederick  Krebaum,  in  half  a  day  they  killed 
fifteen  hogs  of  heavy  weight,  that  furnished  supplies  for  a  vear, 
and  some  for  sale.  He  once  had  a  desperate  hand  to  hand  fight 
with  a  wild  hog,  where  the  M.  E.  Church  now  stands,  and  finallv 
dispatched  him  with  his  knife.  His  dog  died  from  wounds  received 
in  the  encounter. 

Hiram  followed  the  river  to  some  extent  at  an  earlv  day.  In 
1S34  he  arrived  at  the  Havana  levee  in  a  little  keel  boat.  A  man 
named  Mallory  kept  a  trading  post  here,  and  a  lot  of  Indians  came 
for  whisky,  and  were  refused.  They  said  they  were  friendly  and 
peaceable,  and  carried  no  knives.  He  gave  them  whisky,  got  seri- 
ous trouble  on  his  hands,  and  sent  to  the  boat  for  help. 

About  the  time  help  came  from  the  boat  Mrs.  Mallory  blew  the 
top  of  an  Indian's  head  off  by  the  discharge  of  a  musket,  and  the 
fight  became  hot.  One  of  the  boat's  crew,  Ben.  Hokum,  killed 
two,  and  another  man  named  Odd  was  also  busy.  A  Mr.  Terry 
was  cut  off  from  the  party,  and  ran  north,  pursued  by  an  Indian, 
with  a  drawn  tomahawk.  Terrv's  knee  became  dislocated  and  he 
fell,  and  as  he  was  about  to  be  tomahawked,  the  Indian  was  struck 
on  the  back  of  the  neck  with  a  stick  and  felled  by  the  hand  of  Ter- 
ry's friend,  and  Terry  siezed  the  tomahawk,  intended  for  his  head, 
and  buried  it  in  that  of  the  prostrate  Indian.  While  he  was  doing 
this  the  friend  who  saved  him  pulled  his  dislocated  knee  into  place, 
and  Terry  and  his  friend  returned  together.  Mr.  Sloane  did  not  in- 
form  us  who  this  friend  was,  but  we  infer  from  what  we  know  of 
him  that  he  was  not  an  idle  spectator  of  the  scene. 

On  their  return  thev  saw  three  Indians  crossing:  the  river  in  a 
canoe.  Hokum  shot  two  of  them  with  a  steady  hand  and  unerring 
aim,  and  the  third  sank  before  he  reached  the  east  bank  of  the  river. 
Sloan  and  his  party  proceeded   to  Fort  Clarke,  now  Peoria,  where 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  229 

they  arrived  on  the  third  day,  and  discharged  their  cargo;  were 
visited  by  Indians  who  enquired  if  that  boat  came  from  Havana. 
They  replied,  no.  The  Indians  were  not  satisfied,  and  our  party 
must  either  seek  safety  by  flight  or  in  the  fort.  They  chose  the 
former,  and  at  nightfall  left  with  muffled  oars  in  a  light  skiff,  for 
the  south,  and  rowed  to  Beardstown  by  sunrise  the  next  morning. 
Here  again  the  Indians  were  on  the  alert  and  suspiciovs,  and  our 
party  concluded  they  had  pressing  business  at  St.  Louis,  and  left 
for  that  destination  on  the  first  steamer. 

In  after  years  Hiram  boated  on  the  river  steamers  and  traded 
along  the  Illinois,  and  to  his  energies  were  the  family  indebted  for 
much  of  their  early  supplies,  as  were  also  many  of  the  other  set- 
tlers. Much  might  be  said  in  this  connection  of  the  kindness  of 
early  pioneers  to  each  other.  Many  were  the  sacks  of  apples  and 
potatoes  brought  over  by  Mr.  Gardiner,  the  grandfather  of  the 
present  proprietor  of  the  Gardiner  estate  across  the  river,  and  dis- 
tributed to  the  early  settlers  here  without  money  or  price,  and  to 
those  he  had  never  seen  before  as  freely  as  to  those  he  knew. 


In  closing  this  department  of  the  work  we  regret  that  there  are 
a  number  of  interesting  biographies  we  have  been  unable  to  obtain. 
Among  those  are  the  Horstman  family,  Henry  Sears,  Solomon 
Bayles,  the  Scott  family,  the  Blakely  family,  Wm.  Atwater,  Peter 
Ringhouse,  Peter  and  Adam  Himmel,  Mr.  Fisk,  Henry  Buck,  and 
others,  that  would  have  added  to  the  interest  of  this  work.  Some 
it  has  been  impossible  to  obtain  data  from;  to  others  we  have  ap- 
plied and  received  no  response.  We  cannot  use  matter  unob- 
tainable. 


BENEVOLENT  ORDERS 

OF 

MASON     COUNTY. 


We  assume,  in  the  following'  pages,  to  give  the  organization,  etc., 
of  the  various  henovelent  organizations  in  Mason  countv,  from 
such  data  as  we  have  been  able  to  obtain  on  that  subject,  and  fol- 
low with  some  quotations  from  various  publications,  which  we 
deem  relevant  to  this  division  of  our  work.  From  personal  knowl- 
edge and  our  own  experience  in  the  work  of  the  various  orders, 
we  cannot  write.  From  our  observation,  our  reading,  and  conver- 
sation, and  a  long  association  with  members  of  these  organizations, 
we  can  give  our  opinions  from  a  disinterested  standpoint. 

The  following  little  circumstance  illustrates  our  individual  views: 
Many  years  ago,  in  an  Eastern  city,  a  stranger  stopped  for  the 
night  at  the  principal  hotel,  and  after  registering  his  mime,  retired 
for  the  night.  During  the  night  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill.  He 
called  a  servant  and  enquired  for  any  member  of  a  masonic  organ- 
ization. A  member  was  sent  for,  and  he  brought  other  members. 
The  stranger  grew  rapidly  worse.  In  the  beginning  he  gave  his 
trunks,  money,  letters,  and  all  his  valuables,  unreservedly  into  the 
keeping  of  his  strange  brethren.  They  watched  his  sick-bed  day 
and  night,  and  furnished  him  the  best  medical  attendance  the  city 
afforded. 

In  four  days  the  stranger  died.  His  funeral  was  largely  attended 
by  members  of  the  order  to  which  he  belonged,  and  the  citizens. 
A  funeral  sermon  was  preached  on  the  occasion  at  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church,  by  its  pastor.  The  sermon  closed,  the  minister 
spoke  on  the  kindness  and  care  bestowed  on  the  stranger  by  the 
order  to  which  he  belonged,  and  closed  his  remarks  by  saying: 


HISTORY  OF*  MASON  COUNTY.  23 1 


"That  if  professing  christians  did  their  duty,  these  organizations — 
these  orders,  would  have  no  existence;  that  commendable  as  were 
the  acts  of  kindness  shown  this  stranger,  it  was  only  what  should 
be  done  under  like  circumstances  in  any  and  every  christian  com- 
munity." That  very  small  word  "//","  boy  as  we  were,  when  we 
heard  those  remarks,  looked  to  us  as  an  important  feature  of  that 
paragraph,  and  those  words  have  remained  in  our  memory  nearly 
forty  years. 

From  a  work  on  the  table  on  which  we  write  we  make  the  fol- 
lowing extracts: 

The  order  of  Freemasons  has  for  its  object  beneficence,  the  study 
of  universal  morality  and  the  practice  of  all  the  virtues. 

It  has  for  its  foundation-stone  the  existence  of  a  God,  the  immor- 
tality of  the  soul,  and  the  love  of  humanity. 

It  is  composed  of  freemen,  who,  submissive  to  the  laws,  unite 
themselves  into  a  society  governed  by  general  and  particular 
statutes. 

Freemasonry  occupies  not  herself  with  the  vai-ious  religions 
spread  throughout  the  world,  nor  the  constitutions  of  different 
countries.  Having  her  place  in  the  sphere  of  ideas,  she  respects 
the  religious  faith  and  the  political  sympathies  of  all  her  members. 
And  so  at  her  meetings  all  discussions  upon  such  subjects  are  form- 
ally forbidden.  She  ever  maintains  her  ancient  device — Liberty, 
Equality  and  Fraternity — but  she  reminds  her  members  that  while 
walking  in  the  domain  of  ideas  one  of  their  first  duties  as  Masons 
and  as  citizens  is  to  respect  and  to  observe  the  laws  of  the  country 
in  which  they  live." 

Below  we  give  the  organizations  in  this  city  and  county: 

HAVANA    LODGE    NO.    S8,    A.  F.  AND  A.  M. 

Chartered  1850. 

George  Wright,  W.  M.;  George  R.  Wilson,  S.  W.;  M.  Bald- 
win, J.  W. 

Number  of  charter  members,  7. 

PRESENT    OFFICERS. 

H.  W.  Lindley,  W.  M.;  Charles  Schill,  S.  W.;  A.  T.  Beck,  J. 
W.;  N.  Leibenaler,  Treas.;  H.  H.  Hanrath,  Sec'y.;  O.  H.  Harp- 
ham  and  Geo.  Bigg,  S.  and  J,  D. 

Present  membership,  88. 


232  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


OLD    TIME    LODGE    NO.    629,    A.    P.    AND    A.    M. 

Chartered  1869,  August  27. 
Organized  1869,  September   1st. 
Charter  members,  20. 

Original  officers  were — L.  M.  Hillyer,  W.  M.;  E.  Snyder,  S. 
W.;  G.  A.  Blanchard,  J.  W.;  J.  F.  Coppel,  Treas. ;  C.  W.  Em-X 
met,  Sec'y.;  W.  S.  Dray,  S.  D.;  Anson  Low,  J.  D.;  J.  B.  Jimer- 
son,  Tyler;  W.  H.  Webb,  J.  W.  Lyke,  Stewards. 

PRESENT    OFFICERS. 

C.  C.  Fager,  W.  M.;  E.  A.  Wallace,  S.  W.;  G.  A.  Sanford, 
J.  W.;  C.  W.  Emmet,  Treas.;  J.  C.  Yates,  Sec'y.;  E.  Snyder,  S. 
D.;  G.  H.  Holgrafe,  J.  D.;  Win.  Prettyman,  Tyler. 

No.  members  since  organization,  52. 

No.  members  at  present  time,  39. 

HAVANA    CHAPTER    NO.    86,  ,R.     A.    M. 

Date  of  dispensation,  August  3,  1S65. 

Date  of  charter,  October,  1865. 

Original  officers — L.  M.  Hillyer,  H.  P.;  G.  R.  Wilson,  E.  K.; 
A.  Biggs,  E.  S.;  C.  W.  Emmet,  C.  H.;  J.  F.  Coppel,  P.  S.;  E. 
Snyder,  R.  A.  C;  G.  A.  Blanchard,  Jas.  Kelly,  S.  H.  Ingersoll, 
Masters  of  Veils;  A.  Krebaum,  Sentinel. 

PRESENT    OFFICERS. 

W.  S.  Dray,  H.  P.;  E.  Snyder,  E.  K.;  W.  H.  Hamlin,  E.  S.; 
O.  H.  Harpham,  C.  H.;  A.  T.  Beck,  P.  S.;  N.  Seibenalcr,  R.  A. 
C;  L.  R.  Haack,  Charles  Schill,  H.  H.  Hanrath,  Masters  of  Veils; 
C.W.Emmet,  Treas.;  H.  W.  Lindly,  Sec'y-;  E.  A.  Wallace, 
Sentinel. 

Total  membership,  60. 

COUNCIL  NO.  40,  R.  AND  S.  M. 

Date  of  dispensation — December  29,  1867. 

Date  of  charter — October,  1S68. 

Charter  members: — C.  W.  Emmet,  J.  F.  Coppel,  J,  W.  Kelly, 
J.  W.  Lyke,  E.  B.  Laughton,  W.  II.  Webb,  II.  R.  Cleaver,  II.  W. 
Lindly,  J.  L.  Irwin. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  333 


PRESENT    OFFICERS. 

L.  M.  Hillyer,  G.  M.;  J.  F.  Coppel,  Deputy  G.  M.j  C.  W. 
Emmett,  P.  C;  W.  S.  Dray,  Captain  of  G. ;  E.  Snyder,  Treasurer; 
O.  H.  Harpham,  Recorder;  J.  B.  Paul,  Conductor  of  C;  Isaac 
Tinkum,  Sentinel. 

Number  of  members,  thirty-two. 

DAMASCUS  COMMANDERY,  NO.    112. 

Sir  L.  M.  Hillyer,  E.  C;  Sir  O.  H.  Shearer,  General;  Sir  C.  W. 
Emmett,  Capt.  General;  Sir  E.  Snyder,  Prelate;  Sir  W.  S.  Dray, 
S.  W.;  Sir  O.  H.  Harpham,  I.  W.;  Sir  E.  A.  Wallace,  Warden; 
Sir  I.  N.  Mitchell,  Recorder;  Sir  N.  Siebenaler,  Treasurer;  Sir 
C.  C.  Fager,  S.  Bearer;  Sir  W.  H.  Webb,  Standard  Bearer;  Sirs 
W.  H.  Hamlin,  Anson  Low,  J.  L.  Waller,  Guards;  Sir  H.  A. 
Fager,  Capt.  Guard. 

The  Odd  Fellows  organizations  in  Havana,  and  the  Masonic  and 
Odd  Fellows,  in  Bath,  we  have  been  unable  to  reach,  thoueh 
frequently  applied  for. 

ORDER    OF    DRUIDS. 

Havana  Grove  No.  40,  V.  A.  O.  D.— Hall  corner  of  Main  and 
Plum  streets. 

Organized  May  13,  1874. 

ORIGINAL  OFFICERS. 

J.  H.  Knobbe,  N.  A.;  Wm.  Dargel,  V.  A.;  J.  G.  Reichel,  Sec; 
R.  Hackman,  Treas.;  H.  Stockert,  J.  G. 

PRESENT    OFFICERS. 

R.  Hackman,  N.  A.;  A.   Marquardt,  V.  A.;    A.  Lope,  Sec; 
J.  Lebeck,  Treas.;  H.  H.  Hackman,  J.  G. 
Meets  every  Wednesday  evening. 

MANITO  LODGE  476,  A.  F.  AND  A.  M. 

Charter  dated  October,  1866. 

Charter  members'  were:— H.    A.  Sweet,   A.   G.   H.    Conover, 
P.  W.  Gay,  A.  A.  Griffin,  P.  W.  Thomas,  Zf  Miller,  R.  SjEakin, 
John    Thomas,    B.    Ruthetiburgh,    Smith     Mosier,    H.    Latham, 
W.  W.  Pierce. 
—3° 


^34  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


ORIGINAL    OFFICERS. 

H.  A.  Sweet,  W.  M.;  R.  S.  Eakin,  S.  W.;  A.  G.  H.  Conover, 

J.  w. 

PRESENT  OFFICERS. 

R.  S.  Eakin,  W.  M.;  F.  Schoeneman,  S.  W.;  J.  A.  McComas, 
J.  W.;  Peter  Fox,  Sec;  Joel  Cowen,  Treas. ;  J.  A.  Rodgers,  S.  D.; 
W.  B.  Robison,  J.  D.;  R.  Sauters,  Tyler. 

Total  membership  at  present,  thirty-three. 

MASON  CITY  LODGE  NO.  403,  A.  F.  AND  A.  M. 

Regular  communications  on  the  second  and  fourth  Tuesday 
evenings  of  every  month.  S.  M.  Badger,  W.  M.;  J.  F.  Culp, 
Secretary. 

MASON  CITY  LODGE  NO.  337,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Regular  meetings  every  Thursday  evening,  in  their  Hall,  La- 
Forge  Block.     G.  W.  Ellsberry,  N.  G.;  P.  Mundt,  Secretary. 


NEWSPAPERS  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

To  give  a  sketch,  historically,  of  the  different  newspapers  pub- 
lished at  various  times  in  Mason  county  is  at  this  time  an  impossi- 
bility. Perpetuity  has  not  been  a  characteristic  of  that  important 
industry,  "that  art  preservative  of  all  arts"  that  is  so  much  the 
pride,  and  so  very  justly  the  boast  of  our  age  and  country.  The 
art  of  printing  is  second  to  no  other.  Of  its  first  origin,  histories 
differ,  but  enough  is  known  to  place  beyond  a  doubt  that  it  was 
practiced  in  Asia  before  its  discovery  in  Europe.  But  it  has  fallen 
to  the  lot  of  our  own  country  to  render  it  a  r/opular  institution,  and 
so  cheaply  executed  that  the  poorest  of  the  people  of  this  country 
are  abundantly  supplied  with  reading  matter  of  the  latest  date  at  a 
mere  nominal  rate.     The  mechanic  and  laborer,  as  well  as  the  man 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  23 5 

of  leisure  and  the  professional  man,  can  this  morning  read  in  his 
daily,  the  yesterday's  proceedings  of  our  congress,  the  British  Par- 
liament, the  French  Congress,  the  doings  of  the  city  of  Rome  and 
Constantinople,  and  in  Egypt. 

To  the  printing  press  of  our  country,  and  largely  to  the  local 
press,  is  due  that  general  diffusion  of  intelligence  so  characteristic 
of  the  American  people.  This  enterprise  and  intelligence  has  car- 
ried the  press  and  the  English  language  and  the  newspaper  to  every 
country  on  the  globe.  Our  American-English  language  is  thus 
diffused,  American  enterprise  made  notorious,  till  Americans  offi- 
cer the  armies  of  Egypt,  and  hold  high  positions  in  its  government. 
Americans  are  the  civil  engineers  of  Russia  and  Turkey,  and  many 
in  China  are  teaching  our  language  and  arts,  while  Japan  has  a 
head  to  her  department  of  agriculture  from  our  neighboring  coun- 
ty, and  a  postmaster  general  from  a  neighboring  State.  Nor  is  this 
all :   China  looks  out  from  all 

"Her  mystic  past, 
And  opens  wide  the  fast 
Barred  doors  which  once  her 
Empire  hid." 

And  an  American  built  railroad  has  invaded  her  long-secluded  do- 
main. The  railroad  engineers  of  the  United  States  have  overrun 
South  America  in  all  her  fastnesses,  probed  the  Andes,  and  travers- 
ed the  plains  of  Columbia  and  Brazil, 

"And  where  the  Amazon's  deep  tide 
Full-hearted  glides  through  banks  of  green." 

The  American  engineer,  stimulated  by  his  characteristic  enter- 
prise, and  guided  by  that  intelligence  that  ever  in  human  history 
has  followed  in  the  wake  of  the  printing  press,  is  marking  his  lines 
of  railroad,  and  directing  the  nominally-priced  labor  of  the  country 
in  its  construction. 

Eight  years  only  were  allowed  to  elapse  after  the  organization 
of  Mason  county  before  the  local  newspaper  was  established  in  our 
midst. 

In  1849  Messrs.  McKenzie  &  Roberts  established  the  first  news- 
paper in  Mason  county,  called  the  "Mason  County  Heraldy 

In  1851  we  find  O.  H.  Wright,  Esq-.,  of  Havana,  editor  and  pro- 
prietor. He  was  succeeded  by  E.  L.  Grubb,  who  also  published  a 
paper  under  the  same  title.      Then   Stout  &  Wheaden  published  a 


2$6  HISTORY  OK  MASON  COUNTY. 

county  paper  under  the  same  title.     This  was  in  1853. 

Stout  &  Wheaden'  were  succeeded  by  W.  W.  Stout;  Wheaden  re- 
tiring, and  under  his  management  the  "Herald"  became  a  paper  of 
much  influence  and  ability. 

From  this  time  on  we  are  unable  to  give  dates  of  the  "Arrivals 
and  Departures"  of  the  local  papers,  that  in  most  cases  were  very 
short  lived,  but  the  following  are  their  names  and  their  editors. 
We  cannot  even  give  them  ad  seriatim — so  ephemeral  were  the 
existence  of  some: 

The  Squatter  Sovereign,  by  James  M.  Davidson. 

The  Havana  Post,  by  John  B.  Wright. 

The  Battle  Axe,  by  Robert  L.  Durdy. 

The   Volunteer,  by  W.  W.  Stout. 

The  True  Unionist,  by  S.  Wheadon. 

The  Havana  Gazette,  by  Robert  L.  Durdy. 

The  Havana   Voter,  by  D.  G.  Swan. 

The  Revielle,  by  D.  G.  Swan. 

The  Havana  Ledger,  by  William  Humphreyville. 

The  Journal,  by  J.  J.  Knapp. 

This  was  removed  from  Havana  to  Mason  City,  and  sold  to  W. 
vS.  Walker,  and  there  published  by  him,  and  is  now  the  Mason  City 
Journal,  so  ably  and  efficiently  conducted  by  Mr.  Wells  of  that 
city. 

The  True  Unionist  and  the  Havana  Ledger  were  consolidated 
by  their  editors,  Messrs.  Wheadon  and  Humphreyville,  and  formed 
the  Democratic  Clarion,  of  Havana,  now  ably  conducted  by  Mr. 
Wheadon. 

The  Havana  Gazette,  by  D.  G.  Swan. 

The  Bath  Journal,  of  Bath,  by  W\  W.  Stout. 

The  Bath  Journal,  by  Stafford  &  Servass. 

The  Mason  City  Times,  by  Haughey  &  Co.,  the  first  number  of 
which  issued  Dec.  25,  1S66,  lies  on  our  table. 

The  Mason  City  News,  by  Haughey  &  Walker. 

The  Lndependent,  by  Haughey  &  Warnock. 

The  Democratic  Bugle,  by  Robert  L.  Durdy. 

If  there  are  others  we  have  been  unable  to  get  data  of  them,  and 
can  only  use  such  material  as  is  within  our  reach.  We  will  in  the 
following  pages  give  brief  extracts  from  some  of  the  earliest  publi- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


237 


cations  in  the  county,  and  such  other  interesting  references  as  are 
obtainable. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  OLD  MASON  COUNTY  NEWSPAPERS. 

From  Herald,  April,  1857. 

COURT. 

The  next  term  of  the  Mason  Cii'cuit  Court  will  be  holden  in 
Havana,  on  the  third  Monday  in  April  next.  The  following  per- 
sons have  been  subpoenaed  to  attend  as  jurors: 


GRAND   JURY. 


Wm.  Allen, 
James  Boggs, 
E.  Low, 
J.  S.  Wilbourn, 
W.  T.  Chapman, 
W.  E.  McGill, 
S.  Rule, 
J.  R.  Chaney, 
G.  A.  Phelps, 
R.  Anderson, 
J.  M.  Hardin, 
J.  M.  Robinson, 


Thos.  Walker, 
Sam.  Webb, 
T.  Tomlin, 
A.  Hoyt, 
J.  M.  Logue, 
H.  Cheek, 
John  Rodgers, 

Steele, 

P.  H.  Odle, 
J.  M.  Lampton, 
John  Micklam, 


PETIT  JURY. 


M.  Scott, 
I.  Mussleman, 
C.  W.  Pierce, 
John  Higbee, 
John  Covington, 

C.  G.  Millesson, 

D.  Black, 
W.  Caldwell, 

E.  B.  Hibbard, 
W.  C.  Barnett, 
D.  M.  Hillyard, 
Robert  Donevan, 


Thos.  Covington, 
John  McNight, 
J.  Y.  Lane, 
J.  W.  Vaughn, 
H.  Perry, 
Jas.  Atkins, 
Jas.  Brown, 
John  Haslerig, 
A.  E.  Field, 
R.  P.  Gatton, 
H.  Blunt, 
F.  Shurtcliffe. 


23S  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


DEMOCRATIC  COUNTY  CONVENTION. 

The  undersigned,  Democratic  Central  Committee,  give  notice 
that  there  will  be  a  democratic  convention  held  at  the  court  house 
in  Havana,  on  Saturday,  the  12th  of  September  next,  at  1  o'clock, 
P.  M,  for  the  purpose  of  nominating  candidates  to  be  supported  at 
the  November  election,  1S57.  The  primary  meetings  in  each  pre- 
cint,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  delegates,  will  be  held  at  the 
usual  place  of  holding  elections  in  each  precinct,  on  Saturday, 
September  5th,  1S57,  at  1  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Each  precinct  will  be  entitled  to  five  delegates,  to  represent  them 
in  said  convention. 

C.  W.  Andrus, 
h.  fullerton, 
Alex.  Gray. 


MAIL    ROUTE. 

Some  time  ago,  we  noticed  in  some  of  our  exchanges,  a  state- 
ment to  the  effect  that  a  new  mail  route,  from  Havana  to  Lincoln 
via  Mason  City  had  been  created,  and  that  the  same  would  soon 
be  placed  under  contract.  But  we  suppose  the  announcement  was 
all  humbug,  as  we  have  heard  no  more  in  reference  to  it  for  some 
months.  Such  a  route  is  very  much  needed,  and  it  is  greatly  to  be 
desired  that  it  be  obtained,  as  there  is  a  very  large  extent  of  terri- 
tory, with  many  inhabitants,  who  are  almost  without  any  mail 
facilities  whatever. 


EGYPT    STATION. 

Our  readers  should  by  no  means  forget  the  fact,  that  on  Satur- 
day, the  27th  inst.,  there  will  be  a  great  sale  of  town  lots  in  Egypt 
station.  This  town,  as  all  are  well  aware,  is  beautifully  located, 
being  situated  on  the  Illinois  River  Railroad,  and  in  the  heart  of 
the  most  productive  portion  of  Mason  county.  A  better  location 
could  not  possibly  have  been  selected  than  the  one  on  which  it  is 
situated.  It  is  quite  apparent  to  all,  that  in  a  few  years  hence  there 
must  be  quite  a  flourishing  town  at  some  point  in  that  neighbor- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  239 


hood,  and  it  will,  in  all  probability,  be  at  Egypt  station,  as  that  place 
has  every  advantage  required  for  its  support.  Persons  who  wish 
to  invest  money  in  a  paying  speculation  would  do  well  to  attend 
the  sale,  as  no  loss  can  be  sustained  in  making  purchases  at  that 
point.  The  terms  of  sale  are  extremely  reasonable,  only  ten  per 
cent,  to  be  paid  at  the  time  of  purchase. 


march   19,   185S. 

Improvements  are  rapidly  going  forward  in  our  town.  Many 
new  and  substantial  buildings  are  in  course  of  erection;  new  busi- 
ness houses  are  being  opened,  all  of  which  goes  to  show  that  our 
town  is  in  a  prosperous  and  flourishing  condition. 


Messrs.  Stewart  &  Reichman  will  open  a  drug  store  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days,  in  the  building  formerly  occupied  by  John 
Close.     They  are  at  present  in   St.  Louis  making  their  purchases. 

Messrs.  Otto  &  Thee  inform  us  that  they  intend  opening  a  fam- 
ily grocery  in  the  building  formerly  occupied  as  a  store  by  Adolph 
Krebaum,  Esq. 


Mr.  James  C.  Kemp,  who  recently  made  an  assessment  of  the 
real  estate  and  personal  property  of  the  town  of  Havana,  subject 
to  taxation,  has  kindly  furnished  us  with  the  following  statement: 

Amount  of  personal  property $134,957 

Amount  of  real  estate 156,800 

Total $291,757 

Of  course  due  allowance  must  be  made  for  the  fact  that  it  was 
generally  understood  that  the  assessment  was  made  for  the  purpose 
of  levying  a  tax,  consequently  the  estimate  of  property  would  be 
put  at  considerably  lower  figures  than  its  real  value. 


24O  •  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


THE  THIRTEENTH. 

To-morrow  will  be  a  great  day  in  the  annals  of  Havana.  The 
morning  will  be  ushered  in  by  the  booming  of  cannon  and  the  en- 
livening strains  of  music.  At  an  early  hour  of  the  day  the  citizens 
from  all  sections  of  the  country  will  commence  flocking  in,  and  our 
town  will  soon  be  densely  crowded  with  the  "sovereigns,"  all  anxi- 
ous  to  get  a  view  of  the  illustrious  advocate  of  popular  sovereignity. 
Large  delegations  are  expected  to  be  in  attendance  from  Lewis- 
town,  and  also  from  Pekin  and  Peoria.  The  steamboat  Excelsior 
will  arrive  here  on  to-morrow  morning,  and  return  to  Peoria  in 
the  evening,  thus  affording  to  the  citizens  of  the  up-river  points  an 
excellent  opportunity  to  be  here  during  the  day  and  hear  the 
speeches.  Two  excellent  bands  of  music,  we  understand,  are  ex- 
pected to  be  in  attendance.  The  oration  will  be  delivered  at  the 
grove  north  of  town,  at  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  A  torch-light  pro- 
cession will  probably  come  off  in  the  evening.  Taking  all  things 
into  consideration,  the  affair  promises  to  be  one  of  rare  interest. 
Mr.  Douglas,  during  his  sojourn  in  our  place,  will  be  the  guest  of 
M.  Dearborn,  Esq. 


MASON    HERALD. W.  W.  STOUT,  EDITOR. 

Havana,  jfune  4,  1858. 

DELTA. 

This  boat  is  the  Havana  and  Peoria  daily  packet.  She  made 
her  first  appearance  at  this  port  on  Monday  last.  A  number  of 
gentlemen  were  on  board,  taking  a  pleasure  trip;  among  them  was 
the  "local"  of  the  Transcript,  a  very  pleasant  fellow.  We  had 
the  pleasure  of  an  introduction  to  Mr.  Whittington,  Captain, 
and  Mr.  H.  N.  Forsythe,  Clerk,  who  are  both  "capital  fel- 
lows." The  Delta  made  her  first  trip  in  less  than  five  hours, 
making  landing  at  all  the  intermediate  points,  which  are  Liver- 
pool, Spring  Lake,  Coperas  Creek,  Kingston  and  Pekin,  which  is 
as  good  time  as  is  usually  made  by  any  of  the  St.  Louis  and  Peoria 
packets.  The  Delta  is  well  fitted  up,  and  although  there  is  noth- 
ing gaudy  about  her  fixtures,  everything  looks  neat  and  comfort- 
able, and   she  can  accomodate,  with   ease,  about  fifty   passengers, 


HISTORY  OF  MASON"  COUNTY.  241 


and  likewise  carry  a  considerable  amount  of  freight.  This  boat  is 
a  great  accommodation  to  the  citizens  of  Havana,  and  other  towns 
along  the  river,  and  should  be  well  patronized  by  them.  She 
leaves  Havana  every  morning  at  half-past  seven  o'clock,  and  re- 
mains in  Peoria  some  three  or  four  hours  previous  to  starting  on 
her  return  trip  to  this  place.  To  many  persons  this  will  be  an  ad- 
vantageous arrangement,  as  those  having  business  in  Peoria  can  go 
up  on  the  Delta,  have  time  to  transact  their  affairs,  and  return  on 
the  same  boat  at  night.  Our  citizens,  especially,  should  appreciate 
and  assist  in  the  encouragement  of  the  enterprise,  as  the  men  en- 
gaged in  the  running  of  the  boat  are  eminently  worthy  of  patron- 
age. We  understand  that,  so  far,  the  boat  has  made  her  expenses, 
which  we  consider  a  very  flattering  beginning  for  her,  considering 
that  there  is  such  a  good  stage  of  water  at  present  in  the  river,  and 
plenty  of  very  fine  steamers  making  daily  trips.  We  think  there 
is  not  a  doubt  but  the  business  of  the  Delta  will  be  largely  in- 
creased, and  the  investment  made  in  the  running  of  a  daily  packet 
from  Havana  to  Peoria  will  prove  a  paying  one.  There  is  not  a 
doubt  but  she  will  do  a  heavy  business  if  we  should  have  low 
water  at  any  time  during  the  summer. 


OCEAN    SPRAY  VICTIM  ( ?). 

A  passenger  on  board  the  Sam  Gaty,  on  her  last  trip  up  the 
river,  informed  us  that  he  saw  the  body  of  a  man  floating  in  the 
Illinois  river,  near  Harris'  Landing.  As  every  person  found 
drowned  at  the  present  time  is  set  down  as  "a  victim  of  the  Ocean 
Spray  disaster,"  we  suppose  this  is  another  person  who  was  lost 
by  the  burning  of  that  ill-fated  steamer!  St.  Louis  papers  please 
copy. 


As  we  are  now  in  daily  communication  with  Peoria,  perhaps 
some  of  our  citizens  would  like  to  subscribe  for  some  of  the  daily 
papers  published  in  that  city.  If  such  is  the  case,  we  can  recom- 
mend to  the  republicans  the  Peoria  Transcript  as  being  a  very 
good  paper,  both  for  news  and  commercial  matter.  The  paper  is 
neat  in  its  mechanical  execution,  and  its  proprietors  are  gentlemen. 
— 31 


242  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

Should  any  of  our  citizens  visit  Peoria — which  they  do  every  day — 
they  should  call  and  see  the  Transcript  office,  as  it  has  recently 
been  adorned  by  a  new  steam  press. 


THE    HERALD. —  W.    W.    STOUT,    EDITOR. 

Havana,    October  2d,  1857- 

CANDIDATES. 

Adolph  Krebaum  announces  himself  as  a  candidate  for  the  office 
of  county  clerk,  subject,  however,  to  the  decision  of  a  democratic 
county  convention,  to  be  held  at  Havana  on  the  12th  day  of  Sep- 
tember next. 

I.  A.  Hurd  announces  himself  as  an  independent  candidate  for 
county  clerk,  at  the  ensuing  election. 

We  are  authorized  to  announce  Fletcher  Coppel  as  a  candidate 
for  clerk,  at  the  ensuing  election. 

We  are  authorized  to  announce  Selah  Wheadon  as  a  candidate 
for  school  commissioner  of  Mason  county. 

Editor  of  the  Herald:  Please  announce  J.  B.  Paul  as  a  candi- 
date for  school  commissioner,  at  the  ensuing  election,  and  oblige 

Many  Voters. 

Robert  Anderson  is  a  candidate  for  treasurer,  at  the  ensuing 
election. 

Mr.  Editor:  Please  announce  N.  Powell,  Esq.,  as  a  candidate 
for  the  office  of  county  judge,  at  the  ensuing  election,  and  oblige 

Many  Voters. 

We  are  authorized  to  announce  G.  H.  Campbell  as  a  candidate 
for  county  judge,  at  the  ensuing  election. 


the  agricultural  fair. 

Are  our  readers  aware  that  our  county  fair  is  to  be  held  in  this 
place  during  the  ensuing  week.  We  have  heard  so  little  said  in 
regard  to  it  that  we  fear  many  of  the  citizens  of  the  county  have 
forgotten  that  we  are   to  have  an  exhibition  of  articles  during  the 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  243 


present  year.  There  are  but  a  few  more  days  to  elapse  before  the 
appointed  time  will  have  arrived,  and  the  short  interval  should  be 
employed  in  making  preparations  to  be  present  on  the  occasion. 
Our  citizens  do  not  manifest  as  much  interest  in  such  exhibitions 
as  they  should.  There  are  many  articles  raised  and  manufactured 
in  the  county  well  worthy  to  be  exhibited,  and  our  citizens  should 
not  be  backward  in  bringing  them  forward  and  placing  them  on 
exhibition.  The  articles  exhibited  at  the  last  fair,  were  very  cred- 
itable to  the  county,  when  compared  with  what  we  saw  on  exhibi- 
tion at  the  State  fair.  Some  of  the  needlework  exhibited  here  last 
year  was  almost  equal  to  anything  we  saw  at  Peoria. 


MASON    CITY. 


We  were  informed  that  there  were  a  very  large  number  of  peo- 
ple present  at  the  sale  of  town  lots  in  Mason  City,  which  took 
place  on  Wednesday  last.  It  is  supposed  that  the  number  of  per- 
sons present  much  exceeded  1,000.  Lots  sold  very  high,  we  are 
informed  at  from  $75  to  $300!  This  may  be  considei'ed  rather  ex- 
travagant figures  by  some,  when  they  take  into  consideration  the 
fact  that  there  are  not  at  present  half  a  dozen  houses  within  two 
miles  of  the  location.  We  are  informed  that  there  is  a  very  beau- 
tiful and  fertile  country  in  the  neigborhood  of  the  projected  town, 
as  fine  a  country  as  any  town  could  desire  to  have  for  its  support; 
and  we  presume,  should  the  railroad  be  completed  through  that  sec- 
tion of  country  and  a  depot  located  at  Mason  City,  it  will  stand  a 
very  fair  chance  of  making  a  considerable  town,  and  of  transacting 
a  very  respectable  business.  But  we  are  very  much  inclined  to 
doubt  whether  in  twenty  years  from  the  present  time  it  will  have 
become  as  large  and  important  a  place  as  some  of  the  most  sanguine 
friends  of  the  undertaking  expect  it  to  become  in  the  next  three  or 
four  years.  We  are  informed  that  some  of  its  friends  entertain  the 
opinion  that  the  county  seat  will  be  removed  to  that  point  at  an 
early  day. 

Well,  perhaps  such  may  be  the  case;  though  we  are  seriously 
inclined  to  doubt  it;  but  we  presume  when  it  does  occur,  the  event 
will  very  shortly  after  be  followed  by  the  removal  of  the  capitol  of 
the  United  States  to  the  same  important  point!  One  event  will 
certainly  follow  the  other,  and  perhaps  we   may  as  well  at  once 


:i|  HISTORY   OK   MASON   COUNTY 


commence  to  congratulate  the  citizens  of  that  portion  of  the  county 
on  their  favorable  location,  in  such  near  proximity  to  the  Federal 
Capitol.  We  are  prevented  from  offering  our  congratulations  to 
the  citizens  of  Mason  City,  from  the  fact  that  there  are  no  inhabit* 
ants  there — but  we  promise  to  do  so  as  soon  as  some  move  in. 


We  are  convinced  since  our  attending  the  State  Fair,  that  Mason 
county  is  the  equal  of  almost  any  county  in  the  vState  for  the  raising 
of  almost  every  kind  of  vegetables,  and  as  for  watermelons  we  can 
safely  challenge  and  defy  the  competition  of  the  entire  State.  There 
has  been  many  larger  melons  sold  in  Havana  during  the  present 
summer  than  any  we  saw  at  Peoria  during  the  Fair. 


Some  one  presented  the  editor  of  the  Cass  County  Tinb&s  with  a 
melon  weighing  38  pounds,  and  he  takes  on  considerably  about  the 
size  on't.  We  saw  a  load  of  melons  sold  in  this  town  a  few  days 
ago,  several  of  which  were  weighed  and  found  to  exceed  38  pounds 
in  weight.  A  thirty-eight  pound  melon  may  be  considered  deci- 
dedlv  "some"  in  voul*  diggings,  neighbor,  but  up  here  it  is  consid- 
ered rather  "small  pertaters,"  and  hardly  worth  the  gathering. 
The  largest  melon  ever  presented  to  the  Herald  office,  weighed 
fifty-nine  pounds,  and  was  not  considered  worth  bragging  about! 
It  was  raised  by  J.  D.  W.  Bowman.  It  was  only  twenty-one 
pounds  heavier  than  yours,  neighbor!  'Twarn't  as  big  agin,  was 
it?     Some  consolation,  anyhow. 


From  the  Maso?i  County  Herald,  Nov.  24,  iSjj. 

PUBLISHED   EVERY   FRIDAY,  BY  T.  C.  WHEADEN   &  W.  W.  STOUT. 

This  is  court  week  in  Havana,  and  the  town  is  crowded  with  ad- 
vocates and  clients,  jurors  and  those  who  expect  to  deal  out  justice 
even-handed.  Candidates  are  here,  and  traders  seeking  bargains. 
Business  is  legibly  written  on  every  countenance.  Some  will  be 
happier  and  some  sadder  at  the  week's  close  than  at  its  commence- 
ment. 


HISTORY   OF  MASON  COUNTY.  245 


On  Monday  evening,  the  citizens  were  called  together,  at  the 
court  house,  to  listen  to  one  of  the  most  important  discussions  of 
the  day,  and  the  most  so  of  any  ever  presented  to  the  people  of 
Mason  county.  Though  a  fifty  cent  show  would  have  collected  a 
more  numerous  audience,  yet  there  was  a  large  and  deeply  inter- 
ested audience  listening  to  the  matter-of-fact  statements,  and 
weighty  and  conclusive  arguments  of  Major  Harris,  in  reference  to 
the  importance  and  feasihility  of  the  construction  of  the  Spring- 
field &  Petersburg  Railroad,  and  the  necessity,  almost,  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Mason  county  voting  for  the  corporate  subscription  to  that 
object,  to  the  amount  mentioned  by  the  county  court,  viz:  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars.  The  Major  showed,  conclusively,  that  if 
constructed  it  would  be  a  largely  paying  road,  because  of  the  con- 
nections it  would  have  with  the  roads  running  north  to  Chicago, 
and  south  to  St.  Louis,  and  the  very  direct  communication  it  would 
open  up  with  the  towns  and  country  on  the  line  of  our  road,  and 
the  great  eastern  commercial  centres,  New  York,  Boston,  Phila- 
delphia and  Baltimore,  by  the  connection  it  would  form  with  the 
numerous  lines  of  roads  running  eastward,  thus  giving  farmers  the 
most  ample  facilities  for  disposing  of  their  produce  at  the  very  best 
markets. 

Judge  Kellogg,  of  Canton,  was  afterwards  called  to  the  stand, 
and  presented  additional  arguments,  in  an  able  and  eloquent  style, 
on  the  same  subject.  It  was  a  masterly  effort,  showing  that  rail- 
road communications  such  as  this  road  would  give  us,  are  absolute- 
ly indispensable  to  develop  the  resources  of  the  State.  We  regret 
that  a  larger  number  of  our  citizens  of  the  county  were  not  present 
to  be  convinced  by  these  addresses,  if  they  ever  had  any  doubt,  that 
nothing  will  so  much  advance  the  interests  of  Mason  county  as 
railroad  communication  with  the  great  northern,  eastern  and  south- 
ern markets,  and  that  there  is  nothing  the  people  can  so  easily  do 
as  to  vote  at  the  coming  election  for  county  subscription. 


The  election  for  county  and  precinct  officers  will  take  place  on 
Tuesday,  the  Sth  inst.  It  is  very  much  wished  that  every  voter 
should  be  present  at  the  polls,  prepared  to  deposit  an  intelligent 
vote  for  the  question  of  the  county  subscription  of  $25,000  to  the 
capital  stock  of  the  Springfield  and  Petersburg  Railroad  Compa- 
ny, which  is  on  that  day  to  be  decided;  and  certainly  a  question  of 


246  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 

more  interest  has  never  yet  been  before  the  citizens  of  Mason  coun- 
ty for  decision.  The  future  prosperity  of  the  county  will  be  very 
materially  affected  by  the  decision  of  the  voters  on  that  question 
next  Tuesday. 


RATHER    SINGULAR. 

We  hear  it  said  that  the  association  of  "Secret  and  obscure 
Know-Nothings,"  which  is  said  to  exist  in  this  community,  have 
been  in  the  habit  heretofore  of  holding  their  meetings  in  the  Ger- 
man church,  but  that  refusing  to  pay  a  certain  amount  of  rent,  thev 
were  ejected,  and  compelled  to  use  Cotilion  Hall  as  their  lodge 
room.  Of  course  this  statement  is  incorrect.  A  German  church 
would  be  a  strange  place  for  a  Know-Nothing  meeting.  The 
number  of  persons  who  attended  the  mysterious  meeting  at  the 
Hall,  we  first  heard  was  25,  but  according  to  .the  latest  censvs  it 
has  increased  to  between  60  and  70. 


In  grading  the  street  leading  past  the  Mason  Hotel  to  the  river, 
quite  a  number  of  skulls  were  found,  also  other  bones.  A  portion 
of  them  were  in  an  excellent  state  of  preservation.  From  the  num- 
ber of  bones  found  at  this  and  other  times,  we  incline  to  the  opinion 
that  anciently  that  part  of  Havana  that  fronts  on  the  river  was  used 
as  an  Indian  burying  ground. 


Feb.  10, 1854.  Our  townsmen,  James  Mallory  and  Pike  C.  Ross, 
left  this  place  on  Monday  last  for  a  tour  of  observation  in  Texas, 
and  should  that  country  meet  their  expectations,  they  design  remov- 
ing there.     They  go  via.  Orleans  and  Shreveport. 


From  the  Mason  County  Herald,  February  ij,  1854. 

The  county  subscription  in  aid  of  the  Springfield  and  Peters- 
burg Railroad  is  a  subject  of  considerable  interest  to  the  people  of 
Mason  county  at  this  time.  The  hopes  that  have  been  revived 
concerning  the  early  construction  of  that  road  are  not  a  little  mixed 
with  apprehension  in  the  minds  of  many  of  our  citizens.  The 
road,  it  seems,  was  chartered  from  Springfield  to  Petersburg,  and 
the  entension  of  it  to  this  place  was  left  optional  with  the  company. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY.  247 


The  county  vote  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  was  unconditional, 
but  assurances  were  given  in  public  addresses  to  the  citizens,  pre- 
vious to  the  election,  that  an  estimate  had  been  made  of  the  cost  of 
grading  and  tieing  in  each  county,  and  that  the  subscriptions  were  pro- 
portioned to  the  estimate,  so  that,  if  the  road  should  be  built,  each 
county  would,  in  fact,  have  its  own  money  expended  within  its 
limits.  The  people  made  the  vote,  of  course,  in  good  faith  that 
the  count}-  would  have  the  advantages  of  a  railroad.  We  all 
know  the  road  ought  to  be  built;  but  will  it?  That  is  the  question. 
Can  we  have  satisfactory  assurances  that  such  will  be  the  case,  or 
is  it  taken  for  granted  that  the  money  of  Mason  county  will  be 
faithfully  expended  in  building  the  road,  and  that  she  shall  make 
her  subscription,  not  absolutely  knowing  whether  she  is  building 
the  road  from  Havana  to  Petersburg  or  from  Petersburg  to  Spring- 
field?    We  commend  cautiousness  to  our  court. 


From  Herald,  March  2Q,  1835. 

The  election  for  town  officers  took  place  on  Monday  last,  and  re- 
sulted in  the  choice  of  John  H.  West,  James  Boggs,  N.  Waggen- 
seller,  J.  D.  Hays  and  Silas  Cheek,  as  board  of  trustees  for  the 
town  of  Havana  for  the  ensuing  year.  R.  H.  Walker  was  elected 
police  magistrate. 

The  election  for  associate  justice  and  constable  passed  off  quietly. 
But  few  people  were  in  attendance  on  account  of  pressing  business 
at  home  in  the  agricultural  line.  The  following  is  the  vote  of  this 
precinct: 

FOR    ASSOCIATE  JUSTICE. 

Henry  C.  Burnham 89 

Abner  Baxter 53 

J.  C.  Randolph 13 

FOR    CONSTABLE. 

A.  Olmsted 65 

John  R.  Falkner 66 

We  have  no  reliable  returns  from  other  precincts  except  Salt 
Creek,  which  gives  Burnham  eighty-six,  Baxter  seven,  and  Pern- 


248  HISTORY  OK    MASON  COUNTY. 


berton  one.     There  is    little  doubt   of  Burnham's  election  by    a 
large  marjority. 


Herald,  September  21,  iSjJ. 

We  suppose  our  readers  are  aware  that  on  the  4th  and  5th  of 
next  month  our  county  fair  will  be  held.  We  feel  considerable  in- 
terest in  the  result,  it  being  the  first  attempt  that  we  have  made  in 
this  county  to  hold  a  fair.  The  executive  committee  have  bought 
grounds  and  provided  for  fencing  the  same,  so  we  shall  commence 
our  first  fair  upon  grounds  owned  by  the  society.  Every  person 
who  is  a  member  is  entitled  to  the  privilege  of  entering  any  article 
in  the  advertised  list,  and  any  person  may  become  a  member  for 
the  trifling  sum  of  fifty  cents.  Then  we  again  say,  come, from  the 
fertile  forks  of  the  Sangamon,  the  rich  bottoms  of  Crane  Creek, 
the  verdant  banks  of  Salt  Creek,  and  the  blooming  prairies  of 
Egypt,  and  everybody  bring  his  wife  and  children. 


From  Herald,  August  23,  J 85 5. 

Ninian  W.  Edwards,  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 
will  deliver  an  address  on  the  subject  of  Education,  at  the  court 
house,  on  Thursday,  the  30th  of  August,  at  seven,  P.  M.  All 
should  made  it  convenient  to  be  present  on  that  occasion. 


SAMUEL  KURD. 

We  are  authorized  to  announce  the  name  of  Samuel  Hurd  as  a 
candidate  for  Constable  at  the  ensuing  election,  to  fill  the  vacancy 
made  by  the  resignation  of  John  Falkner. 


The  number  of  bushels  of  corn  raised  in  Mason  county  in   1853 
was  1,158,400,  and  187,648  bushels  of  wheat. 


Twenty  years  ago — 1833 — the  region  of  country  now  known  as 
Mason  county,  was  one  unbroken  wilderness.  Here  and  there  in 
some  point  of  timber,  or  near  the  bank  of  some  creek  or  river,  the 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  249 


log  cabin  of  the  pioneer,  with  a  few  acres  of  land  beginning  to  be 
cultivated,  was  the  only  indication  of  civilization. 

The  Government  owned  the  land,  and  $i  25  per  acre  was  no 
inducement  to  settlers,  when  any  quantity  of  what  was  considered 
better  soil  could  be  purchased  for  the  same  price.  Emigrants 
avoided  these  plains  and  sand  ridges  as  unwoi-thy  of  their  notice. 
The  productive  qualities  of  the  soil  had  not  been  tested,  and  very 
few  were  willing  to  run  the  risk  and  make  the  experiment. 

It  was  not  until  land  for  entry  was  growing  scarce,  in  what  was 
considered  more  favored  localities,  that  purchases  began  to  be  made 
here.  The  settler  very  soon  found,  however,  that  his  prejudices 
were  unfounded,  that  the  forbidding  appearance  of  the  surface  was 
a  false  indication;  that  an  exuberance  of  productive  power  was  here 
disguised  under  the  exterior  show  of  poverty.  The  facts  becom- 
ing known,  the  settlers  flocked  in,  and  have  continued  to  come 
until  now  there  is  scarcely  any  unentered  land  to  be  found  in  the 
county. 


The  Herald,  of  April  19,  1855,  says  in  the  local  news  column, 
"the  town  is  crowded  with  business.  Walker  &  Hancock  are  re- 
ceiving large  supplies  of  goods." 

C.  W.  Andrus  is  receiving  his  spring  stock. 

J.  H.  &  D.  P.  Hole  are  also  receiving  large  consignments  of  new 
and  desirable  articles. 

Steiner  &  Sterns  are  daily  making  heavy  sales. 

Richard  Ritter  is  receiving  from  the  east  a  large  stock  of  fancy 
goods. 

N.  Waggenseller  has  had  new  goods  for  some  days,  and  making 
heavy  sales: 

H.  R.  Cleaner  has  just  returned  from  St.  Louis  with  a  new 
stock. 

R.  H.  Walker  has  opened  a  new  establishment,  located  at  the 
heart  of  the  city. 

J.  C.  Kemp  has  also  returned  from  the  city  with  new  goods. 

Kemp  &  Simpson  are  receiving  heavy  stocks  of  stoves,  etc. 

Under  date  of  July  4,  1855,  the  Herald  says:  "The  warehouse 
of  R.  S.  Moore  &  Co.,  will  be  ready  to  receive  grain  in  a  few  days. 
This  warehouse  will  be  the  largest  on  the  Illinois  river." 
— 32 


250  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

"N.J.  Rockwell  will  soon  have  his  flouring  mill  done." 

June  27,  1855,     "O.   H.  Shearer  will  remain  in  Havana  a  few 

days  longer  and  take  daguerratypes." 

Also,  the  cards  of  Thomas  Covington  and  J.  D.  Hays,  furniture 

dealers. 


Population  of  Havana  in  1837 932 

No.  of  males 495 

No.  of  females 437 

No.  of  mechanics no 


TRADE    OF    1856. 

From  January  1,  1856,  to  January  1,  1857. 

From  the  Herald. 

Firm.                  Rye.  Wheat.       Pork.  Corn.       Oats. 

Moore,  Gill  &  Co 5,000  45,000     71,200  lbs.  130,000     10,000 

Walker  &  Hancock..  .4,500  68,000     42,100 lbs.  150,000       7,700 

Wagenseller&  Jones. .    980  29,800     31,000          840 

J.  H.  &  D.  P.  Hole. 20,000     80,000 

John  Close 5,000       4,000  10,000 

H.  R.  Cleaver 10,000     20,000 

Stuart  &  Bro M65     15,000 

R.H.Walker 10,000     25,000 

Stiner,  Sterns  &  Co 20,600     22,600 

J.C.Kemp 5,000     20,000 


SALES    OF    GOODS    REPORTED    SAME    YEAR. 

Walker  &  Hancock. ...    $100,000 

Wagenseller  &  Jones 43,ooo 

J.  H.  &  D.  P.  Hole 30,000 

Otto  &  Krebaum 8,500 

John  Close 10,550 

H.  R.  Cleaver 20,000 

Stuart  &  Bro 6,130 

R.  H.  Walker 26,000 


HISTORY  OK   MASON  COUNTY.  251 

vSteiner,  Sterns  &  Co 26,270 

C.  W.  Andrus 21,000 

J.  A.  Hurd 20,850 

J.  C.  Kemp - .  17,000 

DRUG     STORES. 

E.  B.  Harpham $9,000 

P.  L.  Beckstead 3,500 

H.  R.  Cleaver 5,070 

HARDWARE. 

J.  F.  Coppel $6,000 

G.  Simpson 3->5°° 

GROCERIES. 

W.  C.  Thompson $6,500 

J.  D.  Thee 3,000 

W.  C.  Stone 4,856 

S.  Morris 4,100 

LUMBER    YARDS. 

Simmons  &  Dixon 1 ,500,000  feet. 

William  Allen 500,000  feet. 


From  the  '•'■Mason  City  Times"  No.  1,  volume  i,the  first  paper 
in  Mason  City,  Dec.  25,  1866,  we  quote  the  following: 

MERRY    CHRISTMAS. 

Amid  the  congratulations,  the  joy  and  hilarity  of  holliday  week, 
the  Times  presents  itself  as  one  of  the  rare  Christmas  gifts,  to  all 
who  feel  an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  our  city.  Free  from  all  sec- 
tarian or  political  bias,  having  a  heart  only  for  the  general  good, 
and  priding  itself  upon  its  neat  appearance,  it  appeals  confidently 
to  all  for  support. 

To  those  who  have  aided  us  by  kind  words,  advertisements  and 
subscriptions,  we  return  our  thanks.  As  for  those  who  have  not 
aided  us,  we  hope  to  merit  their  patronage,  if  we  do  not  receive  it. 


Z$l  HISTORY   OF   MASON    COUNTY. 


BUSINESS  HOUSES  OF  MASON  CITY. 

Dry  Goods  and  Groceries. — Warnock  &  Co.,  R.  W.  Porter, 
Orendorff  &  Keefer,  Powell  &  Cargill,  Mrs.  A.  Swing. 

Grocery  Stores. — S.  Sites,  Wilson  &  Brother. 

Drug  Stores. — Kincaid  &  Bradley,  W.  S.  Walker,  Warnock 
&Co. 

Boots  and  Shoes. — Warnock  &  Co.,  Orendorff  &  Keefer, 
J.  Riggins,  R.  W.  Porter,  Mrs.  A.  Swing,  Powell  &  Cargill, 
Geo.  Deitrich. 

Clothing. — R.  W.  Porter,  Gotlieb  &  Myers,  J.  Riggins,  Oren- 
dorff &  Keefer,  Powell  &  Cargill. 

Hardware. — J.  Prichett,  Orendorff  &  Keefer. 

Merchant  Tailors. — P.  Cooper,  A.  Zimmerman,  W.  T. 
Menick. 

Builders. —  Ritter,  Young  &  Co.,  J.  Deitrich,  E.  F.  Hackley, 
J.  H.  Piercy. 

Blacksmiths. — Brooker  &  Ceare,  House'worth  &  Co.,  Hughes 
&  Co. 

Livery  Stables. — Taylor  &  Co.,  Riner  &  Brother. 

Butchers. — C.  Crew,  Butler  &  Carter. 

Saloons. — J.  Elliott,  Mike  Reed,  J.  Houseworth,  R.  Seward. 

Restaurant  and  Bakery. — J.  C.  Ambrose. 

Lumber  Dealer. — J.  L.  Gates. 

Daguerrean  Artists. — Haughey  &  Eulass. 

Harness   Makers. — Fidler  &  Hall,  Kramer  &  Warnock. 

Wagon  Makers. — J.  McClarin,  George  Yost,  George  Brown. 

Insurance  Agents. — J.  A.  Walker,  A.  B.  Ruth. 

Physicians.— J.  P.  Walker,  W.  J.  Chamblin,  J.  A.  Walker, 
M.  P.  Phinney,  J.  C.  Patterson,  M.  C.  Phinney. 

Mason  Contractors. — A.  G.  Moses,  A.  H.  Martin. 

Sherman  House. — James  Bell. 

Brick  Maker. — R.  Seward. 

Tin  Shops. — E.  M.  Whyler,  John  Pritchett. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY.  253 

We  make  the  following  reference  to  the  four  papers  published 
in  Mason  county  at  the  present  time: 

Not  having  full  data  of  all,  of  course  this  reference  will  be 
brief. 

THE    MASON    CITY    INDEPENDENT. 

The  nucleus  of  what  is  now  the  Mason  City  Independent,  was 
a  small  job  office  in  the  picture  gallery  on  Tonica  street,  opposite 
M.  R.  LaForge  &  Co.'s  grain  elevators.  The  job  office  was  start- 
ed in  connection  with  the  picture  gallery  by  Elder  J.  M.  Haughey, 
now  [the  senior  proprietor  of  the  Independent,  and  Sheridan  En- 
lass,  in  the  spring  of  1866.  The  rapidly  increasing  prosperity  of 
the  town  and  its  commercial  business,  soon  demanded  a  newspaper, 
which  brought  into  existence  the  Mason  City  News,  with  the  pro- 
prietorship of  Haughey  &  Walker — W.  S.  Walker  having  bought 
an  interest  in  the  office  about  a  month  before  the  issue  of  the  first 
paper,  July  4,  1867.  The  paper  was  published  under  this  name 
until  February  9,  1871,  when  J.  C.  Warnock,  Esq.,  the  present 
editor,  bought  Mr.  Walker's  interest,  and  the  name  of  the  paper 
was  changed  to  the  Mason  City  Independent,  with  Haughey  & 
Warnock,  proprietors. 

MASON    CITY  JOURNAL. 

The  Mason  City  Journal,  published  in  Mason  City  by  Wells 
Cory,  Esq.,  is  now  in  its  sixth  volume;  a  neat  quarto,  and  well 
conducted,  and  enjoys  a  very  liberal  advertising  patronage  and  cir- 
culation ;  is  strongly  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  republican  par- 
ty, and  the  local  interests  of  his  city  and  county. 

The  Journal  is  always  a  welcome  visitor,  and  is  second  to  none 
in  matters  of  interest  in  this  region  of  Illinois.  It  is  not  the  prov- 
ince of  a  weekly  paper  to  assume  to  furnish  the  latest  news  that  is 
in  this  fast  age  supplied  at  lightning  speed  by  the  city  dailies,  but 
it  is  their  duty  to  give  home  locals  and  matters  of  interest  not  gov- 
erned by  the  question  of  time,  so  important  to  the  daily.  It  is  here 
that  the  Journal  succeeds. 

DEMOCRATIC    CEARION. 

The  Clarion  is  in  its  sixth  volume;  a  folio  of  eight  columns  to 
the  page,  conducted  by  S.  Wheadon,  and  E.  O.  Wheadon,  local 
editor.  The  Clarion  is  rigidly  democratic,  and  is  conducted  with 
ability.     Mr.  Wheadon  is  a  writer  of  more  than  ordinary  talent, 


254  HISTORY  OK   MASON  COUNTY. 

and  his  political  abilities  are  of  a  high  order,  and  worthy  of  a  wider 
field.  We  quote  the  following,  which  now  is  for  the  first  time 
in  type: 

"Ah,  what  can  cheer  the  lonely  breast, 
Bereft  of  youth's  companions,  all 
Who  once  in  days  that  long  have  passed, 
Sprang  joyous  at  my  friendly  call. 

Where  are  they  now?  Ah,  whither  fled? 

Perchance  to  some  far  distant  shore; 
Perchance  some  moulder  with  the  dead, 

Where  friendly  voice  shall  ring  no  more. 

The  bright  sun  throws  his  golden  beams, 

The  soft  wind  sighs  across  the  plain, 
The  fishes  sport  in  silver  streams, 

The  warbler  tunes  his  throat  again. 

But  what  are  summer's  golden  beams, 

Or  zephyr's  breath,  or  warblers  gay, 
If  youthful  hopes  like  morning  beams, 

Have  fled — forever  fled  away." 


"I  saw  in  girlhood's  rosy  flush, 
A  fair  and  joyous  bride, 
Upon  her  cheek  a  modest  blush, 
A  youth  was  by  her  side. 

And  hope  was  in  her  fine  dark  eye, 

And  fond  confiding  love; 
A  dream  of  happiness  and  joy, 

Her  youthful  fancy  wove. 

She  dreamed  that  o'er  her  summer  sky 
No  dreary  clouds  should  rise, 

Her  breast  should  never  know  a  sigh, 
No  tears  bedim  her  eyes. 

But  he  who  shared  her  youthful  heart, 
Was  thoughtless,  young  and  gay; 

And  vice,  with  its  alluring  art, 
Had  taught  his  feet  to  stray." 


DEMOCRATIC    BUGLE. 


The  Democratic  Bugle,  published  by  Robert   L.  Durdy,  is  a 
campaign  paper,  intended  to  serve  the  interests  of  the  political  crisis 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  355 

the  present  fall,  and  as  its  name  indicates,  is  of  the  democratic  faith. 
Mr.  Durdy  is  not  a  new  man  in  the  newspaper  business  of  Mason 
county,  but  has  been  engaged  in  publishing  and  in  the  employment 
of  others  in  that  business  for  many  years.  He  is  a  fine  mechanic 
in  that  line  of  business,  as  well  as  an  able  writer. 

The  "Bugle"  is  issued  from  the  office  of  the  Democratic  Clarion, 
has  had  a  good  circulation  and  is  liberally  patronized  as  an  adver- 
tising medium. 

The  Bugle  is  the  last  born  of  the  twenty-five  papers  that  have 
entered  their  appearance  in  Mason  county  since  McKinzie  &  Rob- 
erts began  in  1849  the  issue  of  the  Mason  County  Herald. 


R  A  ILR  O  ADS 


TRAVERSING   MASON   COUNTY. THEIR  ORIGIN    AND    PRESENT 

CONDITION,  MANAGEMENT,  ETC. 


PEORIA,  PEKIN    AND  JACKSONVILLE    RAILROAD. 

The  first  we  find  in  reference  to  the  above  named  road  is  an  ed- 
itorial in  the  "Mason  County  Herald"  in  which  the  editor  urges 
the  voting  of  stock  by  Mason  county  in  the  Illinois  River  Rail- 
road. 

The  subject  continued  to  be  agitated,  and  we  proceed  to  give  ex- 
tracts from  the  Herald,  of  this  city,  showing  the  progress  made, 
and  the  feeling  with  which  the  people  of  the  county  engaged  in 
this  great  necessity,  then  so  severely  felt.  River  transportations, 
and  tri-weekly  or  semi-weekly  mails,  were  becoming  too  slow  for 
the  increased  population  and  advancing  trade. 

The  Herald,  Havana,  jfuly  17,  1S57. 

THE    RAILROAD. 

On  Monday  next  our  citizens  will  be  called  upon  to  say  or  gain- 
say whether  the  corporation  shall  take  $15,000  worth  of  stock  in 
the  Illinois  River  Railroad. 

That  a  railroad  is  indispensable  to  our  well-being  need  sno  con- 
travention; that  the  road  in  question  will  partially  allay  the  evil  of 
which  we  might  complain,  is  a  "fixed  fact;"  therefore,  property 
holders  within  this  precinct  should  turn  out  en  masse  ou  the  day  of 
election,  and  show,  by  their  acts,  whether  they  consider  the  advan- 
tages commensurate  with  the  taxation. 

We  have  said,  time  and  again,  that  wherever  a  railroad  is  built, 
in  that  vicinity  (within  eight  or  ten   miles)  he  who  cultivates  the 


HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY.  257 


soil  is  most  benefitted;  our  expressed  opinion  remains  still  unaltered, 
The  farmer  finds  a  ready  market  at  his  own  door  for  all  produc- 
tions he  can  spare,  at  prices  commensurate  with  St.  Louis,  or  other 
principal  places  of  sale,  less  the  freight  and  handling.  But  these 
same  farmers  are  the  last  men  to  engage  in  internal  improvement; 
content  to  "let  well  enough  alone,"  rather  than  risk  a  dollar  in  bet- 
tering their  condition.  Such  being  the  case,  the  town  of  Havana 
proposes  to  do  that  for  the  country  which  the  country  proper  will 
not  do  for  itself:  appropriate  $15,000  to  the  building  of  the  Illinois 
River  Railroad,  secured  by  the  bonds  of  the  corporation.  Will 
the  freeholders  vote  the  amount?  Not  the  least  doubt  in  our  mind 
exists  but  they  will  do  it,  knowing,  as  we  do,  they  "love  the  glory 
of  Rome  better  than  Cesar."  Whatever  may  have  tendency  to 
benefit  our  country  friends,  will  ever  receive  a  hearty  response 
from  our  townsmen,  even  should  they  be  the  losers  by  the  trans- 
action. Then  let  every  man  to  the  polls  on  Monday,  casting  his 
vote  for  or  against  the  improvement  in  question,  as  his  own  good 
judgment  may  suggest. 

Herald,  September  u,  1857. 

The  annual  meeting:  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Illinois  River 
Railroad  Company  will  be  held  at  Chandlerville,  on  the  first  Sat- 
urday of  September  next,  at  which  time  and  place  there  will  be 
an  election  of  five  directors  of  said  company  for  the  ensuing  year. 
Every  stockholder  is  requested  to  attend  said  election. 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 

K.  S.  Thomas,  President. 

M.  H.  L.  Schooley,  Secretary. 

ILLINOIS  RIVER  RAILROAD. 

Call  for  installments  of  capital  stock.  An  order  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  and  notice  by  the  Treasurer. 

Whereas,  this  board  has  heretofore  made  calls  upon  the  sub- 
scribers to  the  capital  stock  of  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  Com- 
pany for  a  payment  of  a  portion  of  their  stock,  according  to  which 
calls  thirty  per  cent,  of  the  amount  subscribed  by  each  subscriber 
to  said  capital  stock  is  now  due,  (including  what  has  been  paid ;) 
and  whereas,  part  of  said  subscribers  have  not  yet  paid  the  full 
amount  thus  due;  and  whereas,  the  work  on  the  road  has  been 
commenced  and  the  money  is   needed    now  to  pay  for  such  work ; 

—33 


25S  HISTORY  OF  MASON"   COUNTY. 

and  whereas,  five  per  cent,  more  of  said  subscription  has  been 
called  for  by  this  board,  which  will  become  due  on  the  first  Mon- 
day in  next  September,  and  also  five  per  cent,  on  each  of  the  first 
Mondays  of  next  October,  November  and  December. 

It  is  therefore  ordered  by  this  board,  that  each  and  all  of  the  sub- 
scribers to  the  capital  stock  of  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  Com- 
pany pay  to  the  Treasurer  of  said  company,  or  to  his  agents,  at 
such  places  as  he  may  fix  upon,  on  or  before  the  first  Monday  in 
next  September,  thirty-five  per  cent. — that  is,  the  sum  of  thirty - 
five  dollars,  (including  what  has  been  paid)  upon  each  share  of  one 
hundred  dollars  subscribed  by  him  or  her;  and  that  they  also  pay 
to  said  Treasurer,  or  his  agents  as  aforesaid,  on  each  of  the  first 
Monday's  of  October,  November  and  December,  five  per  cent,  or 
five  dollars,  upon  each  of  such  shares,  and  in  default  of  any  such 
payments  bv  any  subscriber,  the  Treasurer  is  hereby  authorized  to 
institute  legal  proceedings  against  each  subscriber  who  shall  fail  or 
refuse  to  make  any  such  payments.  And  it  is  hereby  further  or- 
dered, that  notice  of  the  foregoing  order  or  call  be  given  to  the 
subscribers,  bv  publication  in  the  Cass  County  Times  and  Mason 
County  Herald. 

I  certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true  copy  of  an  order  passed  by 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  Company,  at 
a  meeting  held  by  them,  at  Chandlerville,  on  the  10th  day  of 
August,  1S57,  as  the  same  appears  of  record. 

Witness  my  hand  and  seal,  this  nth  day  of  August,  1S57. 

M.  H.  L.  Schoolev. 
Sec.  of  I.  R.  R.  R.  Co. 

NOTICE    BV    TREASURER. 

Notice  is  hereby  given  to  the  subscribers  to  the  capital  stock  of 
the  Illinois  Ri\er  Railroad  Company,  to  make  payments  of  the 
amount  due  and  to  become  due  from  them,  as  specified  in  the  fore- 
going order  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  either  to  G.  N.  Walker,  at 
Havana,  or  Benjamin  Beesley,  at  Bath,  in  Mason  county;  Sylves- 
ter Paddock,  at  Chandlerville,  or  N.  B.  Thompson,  at  Virginia,  in 
Cass  countv.  The  money  must  be  paid  promptly,  as  the  under- 
signed is  bound  to  do  his  dutv  in  collecting  it. 

Thomas  Plaster, 
Treas.  of  I.  R.  R.  R.  Co. 


HISTORY   OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


;59 


The  Morgan  County  Journal,  of  Jan.  28,  1858,  says: 

ILLINOIS    RIVER    RAILROAD. 

B.  S.  Thomas,  Esq.,  President  of  this  road,  passed  through  Jack- 
sonville on  Monday  last,  on  his  way  to  New  York.  The  object  of 
his  visit  is  to  make  arrangements  for  procuring  iron  for  the  road, 
and  to  make  sales  of  some  county  bonds. 

We  learn  that  among  the  bonds  which  Mr.  Thomas  has  to  dis- 
pose of,  are  some  $100,000  voted  by  the  people  of  Mason  county. 
The  value  of  "swamp  lands"  alone,  owned  by  this  county,  is  esti- 
mated at  $300,000;  so  that  the  purchase  of  her  bonds  would  be  a 
safe  investment. 

The  work  upon  the  road  is  still  progressing.  Some  forty-five 
miles  of  the  northern  part  of  the  line  is  now  ready  for  the  ties  and 
iron,  and  the  whole  road,  as  far  south  as  Virginia,  can  be  placed  in 
readiness  for  track-laying  early  in  the  season.  The  engineers  are 
now  employed  in  locating  that  portion  of  the  road  between  Vir- 
ginia and  Jacksonville,  and  it  will  not  be  long  before  the  work  of 
construction  will  be  going  on  throughout  the  whole  line. 

NOTICE    TO    RAILROAD    CONTRACTORS. 

Chief  Engineer' 's  Office,  Illinois  River  Railroad, 

Peoria,  March  14,  185"/. 

Proposals  will  be  received  by  the  undersigned  until  Tuesday,  the 
5th  day  of  May  next,  for  the  grading,  bridging  and  furnishing 
cross-ties  for  the  Illinois  River  Railroad,  between  the  cities  of  Pekin 
and  Jacksonville,  a  distance  of  about  seventy  miles. 

Proposals  may  be  for  separate  sections,  of  about  two  miles  each, 
any  number  of  sections,  or  all  together.  Bids  will  be  preferred  for 
the  entire  work,  including  the  iron  and  station  buildings.  Profiles, 
plans  and  specifications  are  ready  for  inspection  at  the  chief  engi- 
neer's office. 

This  line  passes  its  entire  length  over  a  rich  and  well  developed 
country,  where  supplies  are  cheaply  obtained.  The  first  fifty 
miles  being  very  level,  with  sand  subsoil.  The  last  twenty  miles 
passes  over  a  rolling  country,  and  presents  some  heavy  work.  It 
is  also  the  closing  and  interior  link  of  the  great  north  and  south 
trunk  road  between  Chicago  and  St.  Louis,  and  between  St.  Louis 
and  the  upper  Mississippi  country. 

R.  S.  Thomas,  President. 
W.  G.  Wheaton,  Chief  Eng. 


200  HISTORY   OF     MASON   COUNTY. 


THE    HERALD. — W.   W.  STOUT,  EDITOR. 

Havana,  September  n,  /Sj/. 

ELECTION    OF    DIRECTORS. 

The  election  of  directors  of  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  took  place 
at  Chandlerville  on  Saturday  of  last  week.  A  large  number  of 
persons  were  present  on  the  occasion,  and  and  an  amount  of  stock 
was  represented  equal  to  $350,000.  Considerable  interest  was 
manifested  among  those  present  in  regard  to  who  should  be  elected 
to  the  directory,  and  as  to  how  they  should  be  appointed.  Hut  after 
the  manifestation  of  considerable  feeling  in  regard  thereto,  matters 
were  finally  arranged,  as  we  presume,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  par- 
ties. Judge  Thomas  was  elected  director  for  Morgan  county;  R. 
S.  Thomas  for  Cass;  J.  S.  R  uggles  for  Bath;  Frank  Low  for  Ha- 
vana; and  Joshua  Wagenseller,  for  Tazewell.  The  selection  of  a 
more  efficient  board  of  directors  could  not  have  been  made.  They 
are  the  very  best  men  to  be  found  along  the  line  of  the  road,  and 
their  selection  will  meet  the  approbation  of  a  large  majority  of  the 
citizens  of  the  different  counties  through  which  the  road  will  pass, 
and  give  renewed  confidence  to  the  friends  of  this  great  improve- 
ment. After  the  election,  the  new  board  held  a  short  session  and 
chose  James  H.  Hole,  of  Havana,  to  be  the  treasurer  of  the  com- 
pany, and  M.  H.  L.  Schooley  secretary.  The  board  then  adjourn- 
ed to  meet  again  in  Havana,  on  the  third  Saturday  of  the  present 
month. 

THE    RAILROAD. 

It  is  with  no  small  degree  of  satisfaction  that  we  inform  our 
readers  that  active  operations  have  commenced  on  the  Illinois  River 
Railroad  at  this  place.  At  the  present  time  between  forty  and  fiftv 
men,  and  also  some  dozen  teams,  are  busily  at  work  in  despoiling 
the  enormous  sand-hill,  which  has  so  long  been  an  eye-sore  to  the 
citizens  of  this  place,  of  its  huge  dimensions,  and  they  are  now  haul- 
ing away  the  dirt  and  making  fills  therewith  on  other  portions  of 
the  road.  The  citizens  of  our  town  seem  to  manifest  an  extraor- 
dinary interest  in  the  work,  judging  from  the  fact  that  all  the 
"shady  spots"  in  near  proximity  to  where  the  work  is  going  on,  is 
constantly  occupied  all  day  long  by  persons  who  seem  to  contem- 
plate with  immense  satisfaction  its  progress.      This 'enormous  sand- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  26 1 


hill  is  rapidly  giving  way  before  the  "Mickeys,"  and  it  is  a  great 
pity  but  the  road  had  been  located  throughout  the  center  of  it,  the 
railroad  company  in  making  excavations  for  the  road  would  have 
done  more  for  the  benefit  of  the  town,  more  towards  improving  the 
appearance  thereof,  in  three  months'  time,  than  the  town  council 
will  be  able  to  do  in  the  next  three  years. 

The  road  from  Market  street  to  the  little  prairie  above  town  will 
have  to  be  raised,  we  are  informed,  something  like  four  feet  above 
the  present  level. 

There  will  be  a  bridge  erected  across  Market  street  of  sufficient 
hight  to  enable  wagons  to  pass  under  with  ease. 

The  town  council  held  a  meeting  on  Wednesday  last,  with  the 
intention  of  granting  the  company  the  right  of  way  through  the 
town,  but  did  not  do  so,  from  the  fact  that  they  thought  it  best  to 
wait  until  they  could  see  the  chief  engineer,  before  making  the 
grant. 

There  will  have  to  be  a  number  of  culverts  made  at  different 
points  along  where  the  road  passes  through  town,  otherwise  at 
times,  immediately  after  hard  rains,  a  number  of  lots  lying  back  of 
the  railroad  would  be  entirely  submerged  with  water.  Conse- 
quently  it  was  thought  proper  by  the  board  of  trustees  to  make 
some  stipulations  in  regard  thereto,  before  granting  the  right 
of  way,  and  they  delayed  so  doing  until  the  proper  officer  could  be 
seen  in  regard  to  it. 


Having  thus  somewhat  in  detail  given  the  beginning  of  the  Illi- 
nois River  Railroad,  which  was  the  first  in  the  county,  we  will 
quote  from  the  report  of  Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commissioners, 
giving  the  present  status  of  said  road,  though  by  its  transfer  its 
name  was  changed  to  Peoria,  Pekin  &  Jacksonville. 

Work  was  begun  on  this  road  in  Havana,  in  Sept.,  1857.  The 
road  from  Pekin  to  Virginia,  fifty-eight  miles,  was  put  in  opera- 
tion in  1859.  From  Pekin  to  Peoria,  ten  miles,  was  put  in  opera- 
tion in  1864.  From  Virginia  to  Jacksonville,  fifteen  miles,  in  the 
summer  of  1869. 

The  P.,  P.  &  J.  road  acquired,  by  purchase,  all  the  property 
covered  by  a  deed  of  trust  of  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  Company, 
under  the  foreclosure  of  which  it  was  sold.     It  also  acquired,  by 


zGz  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

legislative  authority,  the  right  to  use  any  or  all  the  powers  con- 
ferred upon  the  Illinois  River  Railroad  Company,  hy  charter  and 
amendment,  but  no  merging  of  the  company  took  place  by  a  con- 
solidation of  these  respective  interests,  except  as  here  stated. 

Length  of  main  line 83  miles 

Length  of  sidings  and  other  track 12^  miles 

Weight  of  rail  per  yard 52  and  56  lbs 

Width  of  guage 4  feet  8}4  inches 

Number  of  miles  run  by  passenger  trains,  for  the 

year  ending  June  30,  1S75 1 17,816 

Number  of  miles  by  freight 84,345 

Number  of  miles  by  construction 42>°43 

Total 244,204 

Total  number  of  passengers 80,370 

Total  tons  of  freight 1 29,997 

The  extraordinary  care  exercised  in  the  management  of  this 
road  has  made  it  almost  free  from  accidents.  During  the  year 
above  named,  three  passengers  were  injured,  none  killed;  of  em- 
ployees, there  were  two  injured,  and  one  killed.  This  is  attributa- 
ble to  the  very  sensible  plan  of  Mr.  John  Allen,  President  and 
Superintendent  of  the  road;  which  is,  that  when  he  has  a  good, 
careful  employee,  to  hold  him.  In  a  somewhat  extended  railroad 
travel,  we  have  yet  to  meet  more  efficient  and  gentlemanly  con- 
ductors than  are  in  the  service  of  this  road.  Among  them  we  are 
pleased  to  name  Mr.  J.  D.  Cork,  Mr.  N.  McSherry,  Mr.  George 
Elwell,  Mr.  S.  Reiley  and  Mr.  W.  H.  Haynes.  To  Mr.  Cook 
and  Mr.  Kelsey  we  have  referred  at  length  in  another  place.  This 
road  has  been  peculiarly  fortunate  in  acquiring  and  holding  the 
good  will  of  the  people  along  its  entire  line;  is  doing  a  prosperous 
business,  and  is  in  excellent  condition. 


THE   INDIANAPOLIS,  BLOOMINGTON  AND  WESTERN   EXTENSION. 

This  line  runs  from  Champaign  to  Havana,  a  distance  of  one 
hundred  miles,  and  traverses  Mason  county  in  nearly  an  east  and 
west  direction,  and  began  operations  in  October,  1873. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  263 


The  guage  of  this  road  is  four  feet  eight  and  three-quarter  inches. 
The  further  details  at  our  command,  in  regard  to  this  road,  not  be- 
ing of  general  interest,  we  omit  them,  and  have  only  to  say  that 
the  road  is  carefully  and  judiciously  managed,  is  in  excellent  order, 
and  supplied  with  efficient  and  gentlemanly  employees.  Among 
them  it  is  with  much  pleasure  that  we  can  here  name  Mr.  L.  C. 
Thrall  and  Mr.  J.  Caldwell,  the  gentlemanly  and  efficient  conduc- 
tors. This  line  gives  us  a  long  wished  for  and  much  needed  direct 
eastern  connection  for  mails  and  travel. 


SPRINGFIELD  AND  NORTHWESTERN. 

In  1853  a  railroad  from  Springfield  to  Petersburg  and  Havana 
was  discussed,  and  in  that  year  Mason  county  voted  $25,000  of 
stock  in  that  enterprise,  but  for  the  time  it  was  delayed.  On  Dec. 
13,  1855,  the  city  of  Springfield  voted  $50,000  of  stock  to  the 
Sangamon  and  Northwestern  Railroad,  and  Menard  county  voted 
$100,000  to  the  same  project.  An  organization  was  effected  by  the 
election  of  V.  Hickox,  J.  T.  Stuart,  John  Bennett,  W.  G.  Green 
and  John  S.  Wilbourn,  directors,  but  here  again  it  ended  for  a 
time.  The  date  of  the  charter  of  the  present  company  was  March 
24,  1869.  The  road  was  built  in  18.71- 72-73.  The  entire  length 
from  Springfield  to  Havana  is  forty-seven  miles.  The  weight  of 
rail  per  yard  is  fifty  pounds ;  guage  of  road,  four  feet  eight  and  a 
half  inches.  This  line  is  in  good  order,  and  is  carefully  and  judi- 
ciously managed  by  the  present  officials  and  employees.  They  re- 
ceive from  the  government  $45  per  mile  per  annum  for  carry- 
ing mails,  and  $40  per  month  from  the  U.  S.  Expi-ess  Company 
for  carrying  express.  John  Williams  is  President  and  principal 
owner  of  the  road,  and  Geo.  N.  Black  is  Receiver.  The  impor- 
tant points  connected  by  this  line  gives  it  a  liberal  share  of  through 
travel,  and  the  rich  farming  region  through  which  it  passes,  com- 
bined with  the  accomodating  and  popular  conductors,  Messrs. 
W.  M.  Bacon  and  M.  Myers,  give  it  a  fine  local  passenger  travel. 

The  S.  &  N.  W.  connects  south  with  the  T.,  W.  &  W.,  the  C. 
&  A.,  the  O.  &  M.,  the  G.  &  C,  giving  access  to  all  points  of  the 
compass,  from  Springfield  at  all  hours.  At  Petersburg  it  makes 
connection  with  the  Jacksonville  branch  of  the  C.  &  A.  north  and 
south,  and  at  Havana  with  the  P.,  P.  &  J.,  and  the  I.  B.  &  W.  ex- 


264  HISTORY  OK  MASON  COUNTY 


tension  for  the  north  and  east,  and  thus  to  Peoria,  where  numerous 
roads  diverge  to  all  points  of  the  compass.  The  large  stock  and 
coal  interests  on  the  line  of  this  road,  with  the  increasing  develop- 
ment of  the  country  must  eventually  make  it  one  of  the  most  pay- 
ing lines  in  the  State.  The  line  is  in  excellent  condition,  is  opera- 
ted with  care,  and  accidents  are  unknown  on  it. 


THE    CHICAGO    AND    ALTON    RAILROAD. JACKSONVILLE    BRANCH. 

For  many  years  this  line  terminated  at  Petersburg,  but  in  1867 
it  was  extended  to  Bloomington.  It  was  opened  up  for  service  to 
Mason  City  in  June,  and  to  Bloomington  on  the  23d  of  Septem- 
ber, in  that  year.  It  was  incorporated  as  the  Tonica  and  Peters- 
burg Railroad  Company,  January  15,  1857.  Richard  Yates  was 
the  first  president. 

In  1862  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Jacksonville,  Alton  and  St. 
Louis  Railroad  Company,  the  whole  taking  the  name  of  the  St. 
Louis,  J.  &  C.  R.  R.  Co.  William  G.  Green,  of  Menard  county, 
was  the  first  president  of  the  new  company,  succeeded  by  George 
Straut,  of  Peoria.  This  road  was  leased  to  the  C.  &  A.  road  April 
30th,  1868. 

A  letter  from  George  Straut,  of  PeOria,  Illinois,  dated  June  5th, 
1876, says: 

J.  Cochrane,  Esq.: 

Dear  Sir:  A  brief  history  of  the  road  running  through 
your  county,  I  presume  would  assist  you  to  prepare  your  work. 
The  project  was  first  started  as  the  Tonica  and  Petersburg  Rail- 
road, and  the  line  was  located  through  your  county  in  1S57.  The 
Hon.  Richard  Yates  was  at  that  time  president  of  the  company, 
and  during  the  year  185S  a  portion  of  the  grading  was  done  on 
that  part  of  the  line.  The  hard  times  of  1S58,  which  continued  for 
several  years,  made  it  impossible  to  negotiate  railroad  securities, 
consequently  work  was  suspended  for  several  years.  Mr.  Yates 
being  a  candidate  for  governor,  in  i860,  he  resigned  the  presidency 
of  the  company,  and  Wm.  G.  Green  was  elected  president;  and 
during  his  administration  arrangements  were  perfected  for  consoli- 
dating the  interests  of  the  Tonica  and  Petersburg  and  the  Jackson- 
ville, Alton  and  St.  Louis  Railroad  companies.  This  consolidation 
was  ratified  by  the  companies  in  December,  1862,  and  the  new  com- 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  365 


pany  was  styled  the  St.  Louis,  Jacksonville  and  Chicago  Railroad 
Company.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  directors  I  was  elected  pres- 
ident, and  have  so  continued  up  to  this  time. 

In  1863  arrangements  were  made  for  completing  the  road,  and 
in  1864  it  was  completed  from  Jacksonville  south  to  the  C.  &  A. 
road  at  Godfrey,  which  gave  our  road  an  outlet  to  St.  Louis,  and 
in  1867  the  line  was  completed  from  Jacksonville  to  Bloomington, 
giving  us  an  outlet  north  to  Chicago,  over  the  C.  &  A.  road.  In 
the  spring  of  1868  the  line  was  leased  to  the  C.  &  A.  road,  and  has 
been  operated  by  that  company  since  that  time. 

Yours,  truly, 

George  Straut. 


HAVANA,  RANTOUL  AND  EASTERN  RAILROAD  COMPANY. 

Length,  128  miles;  western  terminus,  Havana,  Mason  county; 
eastern  terminus,  the  C,  D.  &  V.  Railroad,  in  Ross  township, 
Vermilion  county.  Length  of  line  only  graded,  36^  miles.  This 
road  has  been  in  progress  for  some  time,  with  prospects  of  a  rapid 
completion. 

Amount  of  stock  subscribed $1,000,000 

Per  centage  paid  in 5°'^59 

Iron  and  rolling  stock  have  been  purchased  for  the  first  division 
of  the  road.  Width  of  gauge,  three  feet.  The  splendid  region  of 
country  through  which  this  line  is  to  pass,  and  the  very  low  cost 
of  operating  that  class  of  roads,  ensures  it  a  good,  safe  investment, 
and  completion  at  an  early  date. 


-34 


EDUCATIONAL 


THE    EDUCATIONAL    INTERESTS    OF    MASON    COUNTY. 

Unpolished  marble  does  not  show- 
Its  beauties  to  the  sight, 

Until  the  labored  polish  doth 
Make  all  its  colors  bright. 

The  youthful  mind  inclines  to  rest 

In  Nature's  finest  mould, 
Until,  by  education  dressed, 

Its  powers  doth  unfold. 

Let  us  imagine  that  a  young  immortal  is  placed  before  us,  whose 
duty  it  is  to  give  him  an  education.  This  word  signifies  that  we 
are  to  take  him  into  our  hands,  find  out  what  faculties  he  possesses, 
and  then  make  the  most  of  every  one  of  them,  preserving,  how- 
ever, a  just  balance  among  all  his  varied  powers.  Not  one  of 
those  powers  were  given  him  to  lie  dormant.  He  can  never  be  a 
real  man  until  all  are  developed.  It  is  not  our  business  to  give 
him  a  certain  amount  of  knowledge,  to  practice  him  in  certain  arts, 
or  to  teach  him  a  profession. 

He  comes  to  us  to  be  educated,  not  to  be  crammed  with  other 
people's  ideas,  nor  to  learn  a  trade.  The  ideas  he  can  get 
afterwards  bv  reading.  The  trade  he  can  acquire  when  he  is 
prepared  for  it.  What  shall  we  do  for  this  young  being,  whose 
future  we  are  to  form  for  him?  As  quick  as  possible  let  us 
make  a  man  of  him.  Let  us,  in  the  first  place,  take  him  up 
as  a  physical  being,  and  young  and  feeble  as  he  is,  see  what  we 
can  do  for  him.  Let  the  persons  who  have  the  charge  of  him  in 
this  particular  know  everything  about  his  body.  Let  them  map 
out  that   knowledge  to  the  best  of  their  abilities,  with  a  deep  con- 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  267 


sideration  of  the  case  in  hand,  to  the  comprehension  of  their  pupil. 
Let  them  instruct  that  pupil  not  only  in  the  anatomy  and  physiol- 
ogy of  his  body,  but  in  the  laws  of  life  and  health,  of  strength  and 
growth,  and  of  that  essential  exercise  by  which  the  highest  physi- 
cal beauty  is  developed.  Let  the  effort  then  commence,  in  which 
the  scholar  will  enthusiastically  unite,  so  soon  as  he  is  made  to  un- 
derstand it,  to  rear  up  out  of  this  beginning  the  completest, 
strongest,  healthiest,  hardiest,  most  beautiful  and  graceful  being 
possible.  Let  him  not  only  be  exercised,  but  exercised  scientifical- 
ly, by  a  man  who  knows  every  bone  and  muscle  of  his  body — 
every  want  and  possibility  of  his  physical  existence.  Let  one  set  of 
exercises  be  suited  to  employ,  invigorate  and  enlarge  the  muscles; 
let  another  inflate  the  lungs,  enlarge  the  chest,  and  give  larger 
scope  for  the  growth  and  development  of  the  internal  organs.  A 
third  will  give  him  ease  of  motion  and  gracefulness  of  carriage. 
Nor  need  we  stop  when  these  ends  are  gained.  The  organs  of 
sensation,  which  are  useful  according  to  their  power  and  accuracy, 
may  be  astonishingly  improved  by  a  course  of  scientific  practice. 
The  eye  can  be  educated  to  see,  the  ear  to  hear  and  the  hand  to 
feel,  and  the  remaining  senses  do  their  appropriate  work.  Nature, 
in  these  particulars,  gives  us  the  beginning  and  a  subject  capable  of 
the  highest  degree  of  improvement.  It  is  the  business  of  effort 
and  of  art  to  carry  that  beginning  to  the  best  and  highest  attain- 
ments. 

Instead  of  suffering  the  strength  and  health  and  beauty  of  our 
pupil  to  waste  away,  as  they  do,  almost  univei-sally,  after  the 
first  hour  of  education  is  begun,  we  should  not  only  preserve  them 
all,  but  carry  each  of  them  to  a  perfection  which  nature,  unaided 
by  education,  can  never  reach.  The  young  man,  when  he  goes 
from  our  hands,  with  all  his  other  qualifications,  in  place  of  being 
the  sickliest,  weakest,  and  most  pallid  and  cadaverous  person  in 
society,  ought  to  be,  physically,  a  pattern  and  paragon  for  all  other 
men,  with  a  good  conscience  and  a  brisk  pulse,  one  whose  head 
rarely  pressed  the  pillow  while  others  ai*e  astir.  Polite  without 
perfumery,  graceful  without  a  rattan;  meditative,  without  stimulat- 
ing cups,  narcotic  juices  or  voluptuous  fumes. 

Without  particular  and  judicious  treatment,  however,  this  can- 
not be.  Such  a  result  will  no  more  follow  from  the  fact  that  a 
child  lives  on  to  the  estate  of  manhood,  than  it  follows  that  the 
crab-apple  will  gradually  bear  better  and  better  fruit,  till  the  most 


268  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


luscious  sorts  shall  drop  from  its  outspreading  branches,  because 
the  shower  and  the  sunlight  continue  to  moisten  and  warm  the 
soil  and  atmosphere  in  which  it  grows. 

Let  us  also,  while  this  physical  training  is  going  on,  look  care- 
fully and  philosophically  into  its  mental  constitution,  determine 
precisely  what  intellectual  faculties  he  possesses,  and  then  set  every 
one  of  these  faculties  to  work,  that  we  may  thereby  gi\'e  each  and 
all  their  utmost  development.  With  a  chart  of  the  human  mind 
spread  out  before  us,  we  shall  at  once  see  the  work  we  have  under- 
taken to  accomplish.  We  are  to  draw  out,  expand,  strengthen  and 
mature,  and  set  in  harmonious  action  every  one  of  the  prescribed 
possibilities  of  thought.  It  is  easy  enough  when  we  have  fixed 
upon  mental  growth  as  the  first  object  of  scholastic  discipline  to 
select  from  the  boundless  field  of  human  knowledge  those  studies, 
which,  while  they  are  best  adapted  so  promote  this  growth,  will 
also  furnish  the  mind  with  the  most  important  truths.  This  second- 
ary object  can  be  best  attained,  in  fact,  by  pursuing  a  perfectly 
philosophical  and  universal  method,for  truth  is  the  food of 'thought ', 
and  those  sciences  which  are  best  adapted  to  develop  the  several 
faculties  of  the  mind,  will  be  found  to  be  precisely  those  of  the 
highest  future  value  to  the  man.  When  that  man  goes  out  from  his 
scholastic  life,  he  will  not  be  as  graduates  in  general  now  are,  the 
imbecile  possessor  of  theoretic  knowledge,  but  a  being  of  varied 
powers.  The  word  power  exactly  expresses  the  nature  of  his  be- 
ing. Every  one  of  his  capacities  has  become  a  power.  You  need 
not  ask  him  what  he  knows.  Ask  him  what  he  can  do.  In  his 
ability  to  do  consists  his  superiority  over  those  who  only  know. 
They,  in  the  abundance  of  their  lore  can  tell  you  all  the  laws  of 
reason;  because  they  have  been  memorizing  the  elementary  prin- 
ciples of  logic.  He  can  reason,  because  the  full  expansion  of  this 
element  of  his  being  has  been  the  direct  object  of  his  exertions. 
They  can  recite  by  the  hour  what  has  been  written  concerning  the 
arts,  based  on  imagination,  particularly  the  works  of  great  masters. 
He,  through  these  works,  has  been  cultivating  his  own  imagina- 
tion. They  (it  is  possible)  can  tell  the  names  and  detail  the  faults 
and  graces  of  the  great  authors  of  antiquity.  He  can  both  write 
and  speak.  They  are  men  of  information.  He  of  power,  securing 
to  himself  that  wholeness  and  evenness  of  mind  without  which  no 
one  can  be  truly  great.  This  degree  of  perfection  must  be  reached 
by  exertions  to  develop  a  capacity,  not  to  furnish  it. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  269 


OUR    LIFE. 

'Upon  the  summit  of  a  hill,  whose  sides  sloped  either  way, 
A  toil-worn  traveler  musing  stood,  upon  a  summer  day, 
Behind  him  lay  the  path  of  life,  his  weary  feet  had  sped; 
Before,  the  dim  declining  way  that  to  the  future  led. 

And  on  his  ear  there  rose  a  song  of  mingled  wail  and  mirth, 
From  memory's  wonder-waking  harp,  the  music  of  the  earth, 
And  sights  and  sounds  and  dreaming  things  that  evening  shad- 
ows bring, 
Up  to  the  windows  of  the  heart  like  birds  upon  the  wing. 

A  vision  of  his  childhood's  home,  a  group  in  alder  grove, 

A  mother's,  brother's,  sister's  voice,  the  first  young  dream   of 

love. 
The  fair  bride  blushing  in  his  arms,  the  infant  on  her  breast, 
And,  ah,  the  green  mounds  by  the  way,  where   we  laid  them 

down  to  rest. 

And  much  he  mused  on  perils  past,  of  toils  and  hopes  and  fears, 
Like  April  skies  all  mingled  up  with  sunshine,  shades  and  tears. 
And  golden   wealth   so   widely  sought,  and   honors  bright  and 

brief, 
That  won  the  thoughtless  throng's  applause,  but  filled  his  heart 

with  grief. 

I  will  not  say  he  turned  away,  in  sadness  or  in  gloom, 
Or  that  the  world  he  left  behind,  was  of  his  hopes  the  tomb; 
Though  heaviness  was  in  his  heart,  hope  kindled  in  his  eye; 
Behind  him  was  a  world  of  change;  before,  a  changeless  sky." 


OUR    EDUCATIONAL    FACILITIES. 

Having  on  the  preceding  pages  spoken  of  the  benefits  of  a  men- 
tal, moral  and  physical  education,  we  now  refer  more  in  detail  to 
the  facilities  possessed  by  our  county  for  disseminating  the  benefits 
above  set  forth,  the  values  of  which  are  incalculable.  Education 
leads  into  exercise  the  active  powers  of  man,  those  which  God 
has  endowed  and  made  active  for  this  end.  Science,  all  science 
enlarges  these  faculties  and  gives  them  scope  and  vigor.  The 
memory,  the  understanding,  the  taste,  the  power  of  association, 
are  all  to  be  cultivated.     They   grow  by  exercise,  and  only  in  this 


270  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


way.  We  premise  by  saying  that  the  trust  conferred  upon  those 
having  the  superintendance  of  the  public  schools,  is  a  responsibility 
scarcely  less  or  inferior  in  importance  to  that  of  the  administration 
of  the  government.  The  government  itself  depends  in  no  slight 
degree  upon  the  education  of  those  by  whom  it  is  hereafter  to  be 
controlled.  Amid  the  various  conflicting  opinions  on  moral,  po- 
litical and  religious  subjects  there  is  need  of  charity  and  forbear- 
ance, concession  and  compromise.  Citizenship  is  of  no  avail  unless 
we  imbibe  the  liberal  spirit  of  our  laws  and  our  institutions. 
Through  the  medium  of  the  common  schools  are  the  rising  <rene- 
ration  of  all  nationalties  assimilated  readily  and  thoroughly,  form- 
ing the  great  American  people. 

The  common  schools  are  alike  open  to  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the 
citizen  and  the  stranger.  It  is  the  duty  of  those  to  whom  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  schools  is  confided,  to  discharge  it  with  mag- 
nanimous liberality  and  christian  kindness.  While  the  law  should 
reign  supreme,  and  obedience  to  its  commands  should  ever  be 
required,  yet  m  the  establishment  of  the  law  which  is  to  control, 
there  is  no  principle  of  wider  application,'  or  of  higher  wisdom, 
commending  itself  to  the  broad  field  of  legislation  or  of  municipal 
action,  to  those  who  enjoy  its  benefits  and  its  privileges,  and  to 
which  all  should  yield  a  cheerful  obedience,  than  a  precept  which 
is  found  with  nearly  verbal  identity  in  the  teachings  of  Confucius 
and  those  of  Jesus  Christ,  acknowledged  by  all  and  endeared  to  all 
by  association  and  education,  viz:  "All  things  whatsoever  ye  would 
that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 

The  constitution  of  1S70,  of  our  State,  the  fundamental  law,  pro- 
vides "That  the  free  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  religious  profession 
and  worship  without  discrimination,  shall  be  forever  guaranteed, 
and  that  no  person  shall  be  denied  any  civil  or  political  rights,  priv- 
ilege* or  capacity  on  account  of  his  religious  opinions.  No  person 
shall  be  required  to  attend  or  support  any  ministry  or  place  of  wor- 
ship against  his  consent;  nor  shall  any  preference  be  given  bv  law 
to  any  religious  denomination  or  mode  of  worship.'" 

A  learned  teacher  and  author,  in  speaking  of  the  duties  of  in- 
structors of  youth,  says  their  duty  is  "to  take  diligent  care,  and  ex- 
ert their  best  endeavors  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  children  and 
youth  committed  to  their  care  and  instruction,  the  principles  of 
morality  and  justice,   and    a   sacred    regard    to   truth,   love  of  their 


HISTORY   OK    MASON  COUNTY.  27  I 


country,  humanity,  and  universal  benevolence,  sobriety,  industry 
and  frugality,  chastity,  moderation  and  temperance,  and  all  other 
virtues  which  are  the  ornaments  of  society." 

It  will  not  be  insisted  that  this  duty,  so  beautifully  set  forth,  is 
other  than  in  conformity  with  the  noble  constitution  of  our  State, 
above  quoted.  Neither  will  it  be  claimed  that  the  Bible,  in  any  of 
its  translations,  is  averse  to  sound  morality,  or  to  those  virtues  de- 
signated as  proper  to  be  inculcated.  If  this  book  is  proper,  if  con- 
sonant to  sound  principles  of  morality;  then  can  it  be  claimed  that 
it  is  adverse  to  the  interests  of  morality  and  education,  and  exclude 
it  from  the  common  schools.  Reading  the  Bible  in  school  is  no 
more  an  interference  with  religious  belief  than  the  reading  the 
Mythology  of  Greece  and  Rome,  or  an  affirmance  of  the  truth  of 
Mahomedanism  an  interference  with  religious  faith. 

Our  Legislature  very  justly  leaves  the  selection  of  books  to  be 
used  in  our  schools  to  the  directors,  teachers  and  superintendents, 
who  are  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  community  for  which  they 
act,  thus  reflecting  the  will  of  their  constituants.  There  is  no  com- 
pulsory attendance,  no  religious  tests  required,  no  essentials  of  be- 
lief, no  property  qualifications  to  entitle  a  scholar  to  the  benefits  of 
the  common  schools  of  this  State.  He  may  be  a  Jew,  Mahommetan, 
Catholic  or  Protestant.  He  may  believe  much  or  little,  or  have  no 
belief  at  all,  but  in  no  case  can  he  be  deprived  of  instruction. 

The  constitution  and  laws  impose  no  test  or  other  impediment  to 
debar  any  from  the  public  schools. 

If  the  writing  of  Gallileo,  Copernicus  or  Newton  should  be  de- 
rogatory to  the  opinions  of  any  individual,  is  that  any  reason  why 
the  youth  of  the  country  should  be  educated  in  ignorance  of  the 
teaching  of  these  philosophers? 

Shall  Locke,  Bacon,  Milton  and  Swift  be  stricken  from  our  list 
of  authors,  because  some  church  votes  them  heretical  writers  ? 
Hence,  the  wisdom  of  our  constitution  and  laws  placing  the  selec- 
tion of  books  in  the  hands  of  school  officers,  elected  by  the  people 
whom  they  serve,  as  before  stated,  thus  reflecting  the  will  of  their 
constituents. 

Our  grand  old  system  of  equality,  regards  the  Pagan  and  Mor- 
mon, the  Brahmin  and  the  Jew,  the  Sweedenborgian  and  the  Bud- 
hist,  the  Catholic  and  the  Quaker,  all  as  possessing  equal  rights  under 
our  beneficent  laws  in   the  common   schools.      The  decrees  of  a 


27-  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 


council,  conference,  or  the  decisions  of  a  Ulema,  are  alike  power- 
less before  our  laws.  It  acknowledges  no  government  external  to 
itself;  no  ecclesiastical  or  other  organization  as  having  power  over 
her  citizens,  or  any  right  to  dispense  with  the  obligations  of  its 
laws.  The  doctrine  is  the  supremacy  of  the  people,  and  that  all 
government  is  founded  on  their  authority,  and  instituted  for  their 
benefit.  We  defend  our  common  schools.  Thev  are  our  Alma 
Mater. 

It  is  the  enviable  lot  of  the  age  in  which  we  live,  to  see 

"The  church  and  state  that  long  had  held 

Unholv  intercourse,  now  divorced. 

She,  who  on  the  breast  of  civil  power 

Had  long  reposed  her  harlot  head, 

(The  church  a  harlot  then  when  first  she  wedded  civil 

power,) 
And  drank  the  blood  of  martyred  saints, 
Whose  priests  were  lords, 
Whose  coffers  held  the  gold  of  every  land, 
Who  held  a  cup — of  all  pollutions  full." 

In  the  early  settlements  the  school  preceded  the  church,  and 
the  educational  position*  now  held  by  our  county  is  an  enviable 
one. 

We  refer  with  pleasure  to  the  tine  school  edifices  of  Havana. 
Mason  City,  Bath,  and  the  one  now  in  process  of  erection  at  the 
pleasant  village  of  Easton.  These  splendid  buildings  are  very 
justly  the  pride  of  their  respective  localities. 

The  building  in  Havana,  erected  in  1875,  at  a  cost  °*  onh'  $3°r 
000,  is  that  city's  best  ornament. 

Our  people  are  under  obligations  to  our  excellent  School  Board 
for  assuming  the  high  position  they  did  in  the  erection  of  that 
building,  that  not  only  meets  the  present  wants  of  the  city,  but 
will  do  so  for  many  years  to  come.  The  architecture,  the  mechan- 
ical execution,  and  all  the  details  of  ventilation  and  heating  are  on 
the  most  approved  scientific  basis.  Our  School  Board,  composed 
of  Messrs.  Isaac  N.  Mitchell,  Jacob  Wheeler  and  Judson  R.  Fos- 
ter (we  would  like  to  name  each  one  first  in  the  list  to  give  each  a 
special  prominence)  will  long  deserve  the  consideration  of  our  citi- 
zens, not  only  for  the  building,  but  for  placing  our  schools  in  the 
control  and  management  of  the  very  able  corps  ot  teachers  that 
have    and  will    hereafter    assume    its    management.     In    selecting 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  273 

female  teachers,  they  sought  for  ability,  experience  and  adaptation, 
and  one  year  last  passed  has  proven  the  wisdom  of  their  selec- 
tions. 

The  female  teachers  are  Miss  Gertie  Chase,  Miss  Katie  Kemp, 
Miss  Kissie  Wright,  Miss  Theresa  Burnell,  Miss  Sadie  M.  Hutch- 
ins,  Miss  Nellie  M.  Beane,  Miss  Jennie  E.  Hutchins.  Under  their 
superlative  management  for  the  year  last  past,  the  schools  have 
made  such  fine  progress  that  the  entire  corps  have  been  retained 
for  the  coming  year.  And  while  the  Directors  wrote  dignoir  after 
the  names  of  each  of  the  other  teachers,  it  is  no  disparagement  to 
them  that  they  wrote  dignissimus  after  Miss  Burnell's.  Mr.  Thos. 
W.  Catlin,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  is  employed  as  Superin- 
tendent for  the  coming  year. 

The  schools  of  Bath  are  supplied  with  a  competent  and  efficient 
corps  of  teachers,  and  so  satisfactory  have  been  their  services  that 
they  too  have  been  retained  for  the  coming  year.  Their  fine  and 
commodious  edifice  is  creditable  to  the  very  laudable  ambition  of 
the  town  to  excel  in  her  educational  interests. 

We  have  been  unable  to  obtain  data  of  the  schools  of  Mason 
City  to  enable  us  to  give  the  facts  in  reference  to  their  manage- 
ments and  prosperity.  We  have  made  frequent  applications  to  the 
county  superintendent  therefor,  but  have  failed  up  to  this  date  to 
receive  them.  We  have  learned,  however,  from  individuals  of  that 
city,  that  their  very  fine  and  commodious  edifice  is  well  and  com- 
petently occupied  by  an  able  superintendent,  and  corps  of  teachers, 
to  whose  faithfulness  and  abilities  the  people  feel  themselves  in- 
debted. Another  edifice  has  been  spoken  of,  to  be  erected  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  city. 

We  would  refer  in  detail  to  every  school  house  and  every  teacher 
in  Mason  county  could  we  do  so,  and  did  space  permit,  but  we  must 
forbear  that  pleasure  and  simply  state  that  all  are  very  compe- 
tently supplied,  and  the  class  of  school  buildings  throughout  the 
county  are  creditable  to  those  who  have  their  charge.  We  cannot 
express  the  advantages  of  our  system  of  schools.  It  is  a  fact  ob- 
served by  all,  that  the  best  and  most  vigorous  and  comprehensive 
minds  of  our  country  have  arisen  from  the  masses — from  the  com- 
mon people  This  is  a  rule,  and  not  an  exception,  and  exceptions 
to  this  rule  are  very  rare.  This  is  attributable  to  our  school  sys- 
tem.    It  is  ability  and  power  that  makes  the  progress  and  advance- 

—35 


2~  \  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 

meat,  and  ultimately  attains  eminence  in  politics,  law  and  scientific 
attainments. 

The  same  is  true  of  the  most  successful  manufacturers,  mer- 
chants, mechanics  and  farmers.  It  is  the  poor  man's  son,  depend- 
ent on  his  own  individual  energies,  that  is  successful  in  life;  a  most 
emphatic  commentary  on  our  school  system,  and  our  governmental 
institutions. 

We  once  attended  a  noted  school  examination  where  the  son  of 
an  Irish  laborer  carried  away  first  honors  in  all  his  recitations,  and 
the  son  of  a  wealthy  citizen  and  high  official  was  excused,  after  he 
had  made  repeated  failures,  from  further  examination.  Money, 
position  and  influence  will  not  buy  talent,  energy,  perseverance  and 
application.  Some  of  these  results  are  attributable  to  the  exercise 
and  muscular-physical  development  which  are  predominant  in  the 
poorer  people. 

"There  is  a  bird,  God  bless  its  feet{ 
That  chirps  a  music  very  sweet, 

Upon  the  snow. 
Let  other  warblers  come  in  spring, 
Amid  the  flowers  their  notes  to  sing, 

And  plumage  show. 
Rut  give  me  yet  that  little  bird 
Whose  cheerful  voice  is  often  heard 

In  winds  that  chill. 
Blest  emblem  of  God's  child  of  grace, 
Whose  soul  the  storm  of  life  can  face, 

And  carol  still." 


THE    COUNTY    POOR    FARM. 

While  it  is  true  that  "man's  inhumanity  to  man  makes  countless 
thousands  mourn,"  it  is  also  true  that  in  no  age  or  country  has  the 
poor  unfortunates  of  God's  creatures  been  cared  for  as  in  the  United 
States;  and  not  one  of  the  states  of  this  Union  has  the  facilities  for 
caring  for  its  unfortunates  as  does  the  State  of  Illinois.  There  i^ 
no  more  commendable  object  to  which  the  millions  can  be  applied 
that  are  expended  on  the  noble  edifices  in  which  the  deaf,  dumb, 
blind,  insane  and  feeble-minded  are  housed  and  fed,  and  tenderly 
cared  for. 


HISTORY  OF    MASON   COUNTY.  275 


For  the  unfortunate  poor  of  our  own  county,  the  authorities 
have  most  amply  provided. 

In  contrast  with  the  present,  we  here  insert  a  description  of  the 
Parish  Poor  House  in  England.  We  quote  from  an  old  work 
issued  from  the  press  nearly  one  hundred  years  ago: 

"•Behold  von  house  that  holds  the  parish  poor, 
Whose  walls  of  mud  scarce  hear  the  broken  door; 
There  where  the  putrid  vapors  flagging  play, 
And  the  dull  wheel  hums  doleful  through  the  day ; 
There  children  dwell  who  know  no  parent's  care, 
Parents  who  know  no  children's  love,  dwell  there, 
Heart-broken  matrons  on  their  joyless  beds, 
Forsaken  wives,  and  mothers  never  wed ; 
Dejected  widows  with  unheeded  tears, 
And  crippled  age  with  more  than  childhood's  fears; 
The  lame,  the  blind,  and  far  the  happiest,  they 
The  moping  idiot,  and  the  mad-man  gay. 
Here,  too,  the  sick  their  final  doom  receive, 
Here  hrought  amid  the  scenes  of  grief  to  grieve; 
Where  the  loud  groans  in  some  sad  chamber  flow, 
Mixed  with  the  clamors  of  the  crowd  below ; 
Here  sorrowing  they  each  kindred  sorrow  scan, 
And  the  cold  charities  of  man  to  man; 
Whose  laws,  indeed,  for  ruined  age  provide, 
And  strong  compulsion  plucks  the  scrap  from  pride; 
But  still  that  scrap  is  bought  with  many  a  sigh, 
And  pride  embitters  what  it  can't  deny. 
Such  is  that  room,  which  one  rude  beam  divides, 
And  make  the  rafters  form  the  sloping  sides; 
Where  the  vile  bands  that  bind  the  thatch  are  seen, 
And  lath  and  mud  are  all  that  lie  between ; 
Save  one  dull  pane  that  coarsely  patched  gives  way, 
To  the  rude  tempest,  yet  excludes  the  day. 
Here  on  a  matted  flock  with  dust  o'erspread, 
The  drooping  wretch  reclines  his  languid  head ; 
For  him  no  hand  the  cordial  cup  applies, 
Nor  wipes  the  tear  that  stagnates  in  his  eyes; 
No  friends  with  soft  discourse  his  pain  beguile, 
Nor  promise  hope  till  sickness  wears  a  smile." 

Instead  of  the  conditions  above  described  the  poor  of  Mason 
county  are  most  amply  cared  for.  A  commodious  home  is  provi- 
ded them.  A  most  healthful  and  a  most  beautiful  country  farm,  in 
the  best  surroundings  in  the  county,  is  their  location.  Ample 
amount  of  healthful  food  is  provided   them.     The  best  medical  at- 


276  HISTORY  OF  MASON   COUNTY. 

tcntion  is  furnished  those  who   may  need  it,  and   cleanliness,  quiet 
and  order  is  the  characteristic  of  all  their  ample  appointments. 

This  feature  of  American  philanthropy  finds  no  counterpart  in 
anv  country  in  the  world,  however  boasted  its  civilization  or  its 
advancement.  And  it  is  with  no  feeling  of  regret  that  we  can 
record  that  the  United  States,  Illinois  and  Mason  county  are  high 
up  on  the  roll  of  humanitarians.  To  the  objects  of  these  charities 
the  question  is  never  asked,  How  came  ye  here?  Enough  for  the 
public,  who  is  the  dispenser  of  this  beneficence,  to  know  that  the 
subject  is  needing  their  assistance. 


MILITARY     HISTORY 


OK 


MASON    COUNTY 


COMPILED  FROM    THE    RECORDS    OF    THE    ADJUTANT-GENERAL    OF 

THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS. 


We  shall  .give,  in  the  following  pages,  the  name,  date  of  enlist- 
ment, date  of  muster,  and  remarks,  including  promotions,  dates, 
etc.,  and  a  brief  sketch  of  the  services  of  each  regiment  in  which 
Mason  county  was  represented,  taken  with  care  from  the  records 
of  the  Adjutant-General,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  whom  we  are 
indebted  for  his  kindness  in  furnishing  us  these  data. 


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322 


HISTORY  OF    M.\mi\   COUNTY 


CO.  I).  85th  ILL.  INF. 

NAME   AND   RESIDENCE.       DATE  OK    ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 

Samuel  Young,  Bath July  20, '62  .  .Promoted  Captain. 

\V.  W.  Turner  "  "       "      .  .  Promoted  Lieutenant 

Freeman  Broth,  l>  \ug.  4,  '62. .  Killed  at  Chaplin  Hills. 

U.  B.  Lindsay,  "  lulv  30,  '62  .  . 

Miles  McCabe,  "  July  iS,  '62  . . 

Thos  J.  Mosley,  M  "       "      . .  Mustered  out. 

John  R.  Nevill,  "  J  ulv  30,  '62  . . 

Jas.  H.  Seay,  "  *      "       " 

fames  Ferrell,  "  "       "      .  .  " 

J .  C.  Wilson,  "  "       "      .  . 

H.  O.  Reeder,  M  July  25,  '62  . .  Discharged. 

John  O'Brien,  ••  Jub'  3°'  ^2  . . 

F.  S.  Cogshall,  "  'Aug.  8,  '62  .  .  Promoted. 

C.  L.  Hamilton,  "  July  30,  '62  . . 

F.  M.  Berry,  "  *      "       " 

A.J.  Allen,  -  July  2S,'62.. 

Thos  J.  Avery,       M      Aug  18,  '62 . .  Promoted. 

Henry  Beal,  "      . .      . .  Aug.  7,  '62  .  . 

Clinton  Black,         "      Aug.  1,  '62  .  . 

N .  A.  Bullard,         "      Aug.  7,  '62  . . 

Joseph  Conover.     "      July  30,  '62  . .  Mustered  out. 

H.  W.  Casselbeny,  Havana.       v>       "      . . 

Joseph    Cady,  Bath Aug.  1,  '62  . .  Died  Aug.  4. 

A.  Capper,  "        "      "       " 

G.  O.  Carlock,    "      1  ulv  30, '62.. 

\V.  D.  Close,       «      Aug.  1,  '62  .  . 

W.  H.  Casselberry,  Havana.July  30,  '62  .  . 

Rober    Capens,  Bath Aug  15,  ''62  . . 

Jacob  S.  Dew,         "     July  31, '62.. 

E.  M.  Durhem,       "      Aug.  3,  '62  . .  Promoted. 

Noah  Davis,  "      Aug.  8,  '62  . .  Killed  by  accident. 

W'm.  Davis,  k>      «        "      .. 

Cadmus  Flow,         "      July  2S,  '62  .  .  Killed  Peach  Tree  creek. 

Allen  Goben,  "      Aug.  7,  '62  . . 

Sam'l  Grisum,         "        July  3°>  '62  . . 

James  Goben,  "      Aug.  7,  '62  .  . 

\\  illard  Hicks,         M      Jub'  3°'  '^2  •  -Died  at  Andersonville. 

John  Hecrigg,  "      July  22,  ''62  .  .  Promoted. 

John  L.  Harbert,    "      July  30,  '62... 

A.  J.  Hamilton,       M      Aug.  1, '62  .  .  Died  Oct.  1 1,  1S63. 

Henry  Honerth,      k-      Aug.  7,  '62  .  .Severely  wounded. 

Elijah  Houghton,  "      "       " 

H.  P.  Jones,  Havana July  20,  '62  . .  Died  at  Atlanta. 

Daniel  Jones,  Bath "       "      .  .Deserted. 

Daniel  Kicer,  Bath July  25,  '62.  .Died  Dec.  4,  1262. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  323 


COMPANY  D,  85th  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY -Continued. 

$ 

NAME  AND    RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF  ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 

Amisted  Kirk,  Bath Aug.  I,  '62  .  . 

J.  A.  Lorance,  Bath Aug.  3,  '62 . . 

Isaac  Lyman         "     Aug.  4,  '62  .  . 

Joseph  Lorance,  "    Aug.  7,  '62  . . 

G.  Mattison,         "     Aug.  8,  '62  .  . 

Henry  Meads,  Havana    Aug.  3,  '62  . .  Deserted. 

H.  Morgan,         "  July  29,  '62  .  .Died  July  9,  1864. 

Jas.  Meyers,  Bajh Aug.  3,  '62  . . 

John  J.  Murphy  ,-Bath Aug.  2,  '62  .  .  Died  July  7,  1864. 

W.  H.  Mongen,  Havana  . . .    Aug.  4,  '62  ; 

H.  Mattison",    Bath Aug.  8,  '62  . .  Deserted. 

Rob't  Noder,     "     Aug.  12,  '62  .Lost. 

P.  O'Rourke,     «     July  14,  '62  . . 

O.  W.  Parks,     "     Aug.  7,  "62  . . 

John  Plasters,    "     " 

"John  W.  Price,  Bath July  28,  '62  .  .Died  at  Louisville  1S62. 

John  L.  Phelps,  Bath July    5,  '62  . . 

TThos.  F.  Patterson,  Bath. .  .Aug.  3,  '62.  .Promoted  Captain. 

N.  C.  Patterson,  Bath Aug.  6,  '62  . . 

D.  B.  Phelps,  Bath Aug.  7,  '62  . . 

W.  H.  Ransom,  Bath July  30,  '62  .  .Died  Jan.  4,  1S63. 

"N.  S.  Rochester,  Bath " 

Alanson  Robins,  Bath " 

Wm.  Rhinders,  Mason  Co.  July  20,  '62.  . 

Jas.  S.  Rochester,  Bath July  25,  '62 .  . 

Elias  Reeder,  "     Aug.  15,  '62  . 

Rolle  Ray,  "     Aug.   12,' 62. 

Isaac  Stilts,  "     July  30,  '62  .  .  Died  May  1 1,  1S63. 

John  Sizelove,           "     ....  -July  20,  '62  .  . 
John  Scoles,  "     Aug.  7,  '62  .  . 

F.  M.  Smith,  Havana July  22,  '62  .  . 

Merton  Steley,  Bath .  .  .Aug.  7,  62  .  .Died  December,  1862. 

Van   Turner,  Bath July  30,  '62  .  . 

Martin  L.  Treadway,  Bath.  .Aug."  3,  '62.  .Died  Feb.  6,  1S63, 

Martin  Troy,  Bath July  21,  '62.  .Died  at  Mound  City,  111 

Chas.  W.  Toley,  Bath July  27,  '62  . . 

G.  Vanlaningham,  Havana  .July  25,  "lf>2.  .Deserted. 

[.  H.  Welch,  Bath July  24,  '62     Killed    Peach  Tree  cr'k 

Ira  Welch,         "     Aug.  7,  '62  .  .Died  December  29,  1862 

Chris.  Wheeler,  Bath July  28,  '62.  .Deserted. 

James  Wallace,       "     July  19,  '62  . . 

Wm.   Young Aug.  4,  '62  . . 

G.  P.  Patterson,  Mason  Co. 

G.  W.  Pulling,  "  .  Deserted. 


324 


IMSTOrO     <i[      M  A.SON   COUNTY. 


CO.  /.  85th  ILL.  INF. 

NAME   AND    RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF  ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 

Thos.  Burbridge,  Manito..  .Aug.  1,  '62.. Died  ;it  Nashville. 

Chas.  Cain,  I  [avana 

( reorge  Dingles,  Bath 

John  Watson.  Havana 


it 

a. 


CO.  K,   85th  ILL. 

Roht.  F.  Reason,  Havana.  .  .July  18,  '62  , 

John  N.  Hole,  "      

J.  S.  Walker,  "     

A.  A.  Carrington, Mason  Co. 

Wm  Masterson,Forest  City .  " 

Thus  Jamison,    Havana " 

Joseph  Bodle,  "      

Wm.  K.  Rose,         "      

J.  M.  Durham,        "      

Wm.  H.  Hole,        -      

P.  C.  Hudson.         "      

Romeo   Magill,  Topeka....  " 

]as  Jamison,  Havana 

James  Durdv,        "        " 

G.  Hoagland,       "       

Chas  Pond,  "        

Orpheus  Ames,  Topeka  .... 

C.  X.  Andrews,  Havana.  ...  " 
Wm.  Beek,  Mason  City 

W.  C.  Blakely,  Topeka 

John  M.  Barr,  Havana 

feff.  Bowers,  Havana " 

Jos.  Chaplain,  Havana 

D.  B.  Colglaizer,  Havana. 
G.  H.  Cottrell,  Forest  City.. 

R.  L.  Durdy,  Havana kw 

George  Drake,  Topeka 

Chas.  Errick,  Havana Aug.  7,  '62. 

W.  H.  Evans,       «        July  iS, '62. 

1.  Fountain,  Forest  City....  " 

John  Frank,  Mason  Citv...  .Aug.  1,  '62. 
Wm.  Gurnbell,  Forest  City. Aug.  iS,'62. 

B.  II.  G rover,  Topeka July    [8,'6a  . 

A.  D.  Griffith,  Mason  Citv..  Aug.  1,  '62. 

I.  \.  Griffith,    Mason  Citv.. 

R.  C.  Garrison,  Mason  Citv. 

G.  II.  Hopping.  Topeka.... 

A.  J .  I  limmel,  Topeka ..... 

(j.  Hetzeller,   Topeka   


I.YF. 

.Died  at  Louisville. 
.  Promoted. 


Died  at  Nashville. 

Died  at  Danville,  Kv. 
Died  at    Bowline  Green. 


Died  at  Danville,  K  v  . 
Killed   i\{  kenesavv  M  n. 
Promoted. 


Promoted. 

Died  at  Nashville. 

((  u 


Died  at  Danville. 
Supposed  dead. 


Died  at   Bowling  Green. 
Died  at  Nashville. 

Killed  at  Buzzard  K oost 


HISTORY  OF    MASON   COUNTY 


325 


CO.  K,  85th  ILL.  INF. -Continued, 

NAME   AND   RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF   ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 


u 
tt 


Ben.  Hibbs,  Havana 

S.  B.  Horsey,  Forest  City. 
C.  E.  Hitchcock,  Havana 
Ephraim  Happin, 
Daniel  T.  Joneson, 
W.  H.  Jimeson, 
Joseph  E.Jackson,  Topeka . 
Wm.  McKillip,  Havana  . .  . 
H.  Mohlenbrink,  "  ... 
F.  Mohlenbrink,  "  ... 
W.  H.  Massey,  Topeka  .  .  . 
J.  McNight,  Mason  City  .  . 
Lester  N.  Morris,  Topeka. . 
Alfred  T.  Morris,  Topeka.. 

Chas  Morris,  Topeka 

E.  T.  Neikirk,  Forest  City 

|.  Prettyman,  Havana 

A.  Robinson,  Havana 

John  Rakestraw,  Havana.  . 

C.  P.  Riddle,  Topeka 

H.  F.  Reason,  Mason  Co.  . 
A.  Shellibarger,  Topeka.  .  . 
}.  W.  Shellibarger,  Topeka 

J  as.  A.  Stone,  Havana 

Mosos  Shaw,  Havana 

Henry  Speelman,  Topeka.. 
John  Seibenborn,  Topeka  . 
Zimri   Thomas,  Havana  .  .  . 

D.  P.  Vanhorn,  Mason  City 

Sol  Weidman,  Topeka 

W.  H.  Wagoner,  Havana.  . 
J.  M.  Whitaker,  Topeka   .  . 

Henry  Went,  Topeka 

John  B.  Wright,  Havana.  . 
David  Zentmire,  Havana. .  . 
John  Zanise,  Manito 


Aug.  i,  '62 
July  18, '62 
Aug.  1,  '62 


Aug.  2S,  '62 
Aug. 


July  iS,'62 
10,  '62 


Aug 


u 
It 


Killed  at  Jonesboro. 

.Died  at  Richmond. 
Died  at  Bowling  Green. 


Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Au»-. 


July  18, '62 


,5/62. 

18, '62. 

1,  '62.  .Promoted. 

15,  '62'. 

1, '6 


tt 
.. 
It 


Aug. 


tt 
It 


July  1 8, '6: 


Aug.  15/62 
July  1S/62 
Aug.  15,  '62 


CO.  A,  108th  ILL 


.Died  at  Louisville. 
.Died  at  Bowling  Green. 


.  Died  at  Louisville. 
.Died  at  Dallas,  Ga. 


James  Sillbee,  Bath 

CO.  C,  108th  ILL.  INF. 

L.  Morganstarn,  Spr'g  L'ke.Sept.  20,  '62. 
J.  Ross,  Spring  Lake Sept.  27,  '62. 

CO.  I),  108th  ILL.  INF. 
James  Woods,  Spring  Lake. Sept.  20,  '62. 


.Promoted. 

.  Died  at  Nashville. 

INF. 

Mustered  out  Aug.  5,  '65 


3-6 


HISTORY  OF   MASON    COUNTY 


CO.  F,   1 08th  ILL.  Iffl. 

NAME   AND  RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF  ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 

John  Eveland,  Bath Vug.  i  5, '62..  Invalid  corps. 

S.  T.  Northcrafi  "    "        .  .Deserted. 

G.  W.  Patterson  kt    "        .  .  " 

W.  P.  Markland  "   

Robert  Moore,  Lynchburg.  "       .  .Died  at  Young's  Point. 

R.  Bradshaw  "         .  " 

Wm.  E.  Sarff  »  " 

James  Butler,  Bath ••       ... 

Benj.  Dodson,  Lynchburg  . .  " 

Hezekiah  Lynch,  Bath ••        .  .Deserted. 

Gustave  Tuzi,  Lynchburg. .  .  "        ..Died  at  Covington. 

Thomas  Gatton,   Bath "        .  .Deserted. 

Thomas   Porter,   Lynchburg  " 

Peter  Arndt,  «  " 

[saac  N.  Adkins,  Bath «       .  .Died  at  Memphis. 

Peter  Brandt  "     "        .  .Died  Jan.  19,  1S63. 

Richard  Butler  "     "        .  .Died  at  Memphis. 

M.  W.  Boyd  "    " 

J.  P.  Breeden  M    "        .  .Died  at  .St.  Louis. 

Mead.  Camp,  Lynchburg. 

Calvin  Cox,  Bath "        .  .  Deserted. 

C.  E.  Deer        «    

Wilev  Dew       "    «       . .  Died  May  1 1,  1862. 

J  as  Esters  "    "        .  .Died  at  Young's  Point. 

Mat  Frank       "    " 

Joseph  Fuse,  Lynchburg.   ..  "        ..Deserted. 

George  Gobble       "  ....  "        .  .Died  in  Tennessee. 

William  Griffin,  Bath "        .  .Deserted. 

Thos  Hamilton,  Lynchburg.  "        . .  Died  at  Young's  Point. 

Wm.  H.  Huffman,  Bath. ...  kv        .  .Deserted. 

John  Harsher  "    " 

Andrew  Harsher         "....■  " 

Lewis  Haid  "    " 

M.J.  Holiday,  Lynchburg. .  kk        ..Deserted. 

Edward  Johnson,   Bath >k        ..  " 

Franklin  S.  Knight,   Bath..  ••        ...Died  at  Ford,  Texas. 

Henry  Kerchian,  Havana..  .  "        ..Died  at  Young's  Point. 
Samuel  C.  Lane,  Lynchburg 

Abner  Madison,  Bath " 

Hassan  Mahan        «     >i       .  .Died  Feb.  1863. 

A.  Neiderer  '■     

Jas.  H.  Perry,  Lynchburg.. .  "        .  -Died  at  St.  Louis. 

Isaac  Pierson  "  .  .  " 

William  Pierson        -k  .  .  " 

Rolle  Ray,  Bath «        .  .Deserted. 


HISTORY   OF   .MASON   COUNTY 


327 


CO.  F,  108th  ILL.  INF -Continued. 

NAME   AND   RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF   ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 


Elias  Redman,  Lynchburg.  .Aug-.  15,  '6 
Bruno  Rempston,  .  "  ...  " 

S.  S.  Rochester,  Bath 

Ransom  Smith,  Lynchburg.  " 

William  Steele 
Abner  Sarff 

Isaac  Shaffer,  Bath 

John  Sarff,  Lynchburg  .... 

Henry  Smith,  Bath 

Alex.  Taylor,  Lynchburg..  " 

D.  Van  Blancum,  Bath . . . .  . 
Wm.  Wright,  Lynchburg..  . 
Warren  Wright,  Bath ...... 

Wm.  Wood  '  "      

Chas.  Gaston,  Spring  Lake.         lt 

CO.  H,  108th  ILL 


Samuel  Biggs,   Sangore  . . . 

Wm.  Little  " 

Edwin  Smith  " 

R.  B.  Somers  " 

A.  P.  Houston 

Oren  Robinson        " 

Edwin  Dillon 

Ed.  C.  Kidder  " 

John  Orm,  Sangore , 

John  A.  Nelson,  Bath  .... 

John  Radcliff,  Bath 

Joseph  D.  Hite,  Sangore  . 
C.  Black,  Crane  Creek 
David  Boyer,  Sangore. 
Emanuel  Boyd,  Sangore.  .  , 

Jacob  Brown,  Sangore 

M.  W.  Boyd,  Bath 

J.H.  H.  Buchanan,  Sangore 

W.  P.  Cook, 

M.  Comesford, 

John  G.  Dorance, 

John  B.  Davis, 

R.  Elmore,  Crane  Creek  .. 

Ulrich  Fry,  Sangore 

John  Ford,  "  .... 

G.  W.  Garren,    «        

L.  Gardner,  Mason  county 
S.  Hutchinson,  Sangore   .  . 


Aug.  I2,'62 


u 
u 


Died  at  Young's  Point. 

Deserted. 
Died  Jan.  1863. 


Deserted. 

Deserted. 

Died  in  Louisiana  1S63. 
it  « 

Deserted. 
INF. 


Died  Feb.  1863. 
Died  Feb.  1863. 

Deserted. 

u 
u 

Died  at  Young's  Point, 
ic  u 

Deserted. 

K 

Died  Jan.  1863. 

Deserted. 
c< 

Died  at  Young's  Point. 
Deserted. 


328 


lilSl  (>K  Y    ol      MASON    COUNTY. 


CO.  H,  108th  ILL.  TJTF— Continued. 

NAME    AND    RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF  ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 

[esse  C.  Hillman,  Sangore.  .Aug.  u, '62. Died  Jan.,  1863. 

John  C.  Jones,  Bath "  Deserted. 

Zenas  B*  Kidder,  Sangore..  .  "  .... 

Patrick  Keiting,  "  . .  "  

Nicholas  Leahy,         "  ••  '*  •••• 

Alfred  Lucas,  Field  Prairie  .  -k  Died  Jan.,  1863. 

John  Moore,  jr.,  Sangore  ...  "  Deserted. 

John  Moore,  Sr.,         "       ...  "  . . .  -Died  July,  1S63. 

James  A.  Martin,         «       ...  "  Died  at  St.  Louis. 

Michael  McCartv,       "       •..  "  Deserted. 

Geo  McNaughton,      "       ...  "  

Flavious  f.  McGhee,  "       ... 

Robert  M.  Orm,         "       ...  "  

Thos  Pounds,  Field   Prairie.  "  Deserted. 

J  W.  Setters,  Crane  Creek 

James  Sellbee,  Bath "  Promoted. 

Daniel  Tatten,  Sangore "  

C.W.Tyler,  «  ....  "  .... 

A.  Yountz,  "  ...  "  Died  Jan.,  1S63. 

A.  X.  Anno,  Spring   Lake.  .Sept.  27,  '64. 

COMPANY  D.  114th  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 

S.  Holmes,  Spring  Lake  .  .  .  .Sept.  22,  '64. 

Wm.  Hale, 

Peter  O'Connor,     " 

J.  W.  Thompson,  " 

CO.  I,  133d,  (100  DAYS)  INF. 

R.  B.  Duskin,  Mason  City.  .April  27,  '64. 
Sam'l  P.  Ilewet,  Havana. .  .May  10,  '64  . 

CO.  I,  139th  (100  DAYS)  INF. 

W.  II.   Patterson,  Havana  ..May   12,  '64. 

f  ohn  Cogshall,  Bath 

J.  R.  Trenarv,  Havana "       

'( ).  W.  Clotfelter,  Bath Max  8,  '64. . 

Wm.  A.  Martin,  Havana  ..    May   13,  '64. 

John  Nix,  Bath May  12,  '64. 

Chas  E.  Hitchcock,  Havana.         "       .... 

Henry  Wilkins,  Bath May  13,  '64. 

C.S.Chambers,  Havana May  12,  '64. 

|.  H.  Daniel,  Bath April  30, '64. 

J.  11.  Thomas,  Havana May  12,  "0.\ . 

Chas  E.  Gore,  Path May  2,  '64.  . 

O.  II.  Harpham,  Havana  .  .  .May  12,    04. 


/ 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY 


32  9 


CO.  I,   139th  (100  DAYS)  INF -Continued. 


NAME  AND    RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF    ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 


Win.  H.  O'Reily,  Havana. 
Ed.  A.  Schermahorn,  tk 
John  II.  Sherwood,      " 
Andrew  J.  Adkin,       " 
J  .  T.  Bowers,  " 

Otto  Brandt,  " 

I  lenry  Bubert,  " 

John  L.  Clarkson,  Bath... 
John  L.  Carman,  Havana.  . 

Chas.  Clotfelter,  Bath 

G.  W.  Cross,  Havana 

Chas.  Cogshall,    Bath 

N.  R.  Cress,  Havana 

II.  G.  Deverman,  Havana.  . 
Simpson  Dnvall,   Havana.  . 

James  Derr,  Bath 

J.  C.  Donlin,    Havana 

Geo.  B.  Earl,         »        

Azariah  England,  Havana. 
Isaac  W.  England,     " 
Chas.  C.  Grant,  " 

Mathew  Griggs,  Bath 

Wm.  C.  Hardin,      "       

Mark  D.  Hill,  «     

Geo.  S.  Holiday,     "     

A.  B.  Hollingsworth,  Bath 
A.  Hanson,  Mason  county. 
Richard  Jones,  Havana .... 
VV.  H.  H.  Judson,  Havana. 
August  Kroft,    Havana.  . . . 

James  Kirk,  Bath 

Thomas  Knight,  Bath 

Rob't  Lacy,  Bath   

Nathanial  Littrell,  Havana.. 

J  as.  Lisco,  Havana.  , 

Godfrey  Martz,  Havana.  .  . 

John  M.  Martin,  Bath 

Joseph  F.  Moore,    Havana. 
C.  A.  Nichols, 
Geo.  D.  O'Leary,  Bath.... 
Geo.  A.  Parkhurst,  Havana 

Hardin  Pegram,  Bath 

J.  W.  Pesterfield,  Bath.... 
Henry  Pounds,  Havana.  .  . 
Lemuel  Ruckman,   Havana 

— 4- 


May  12,  Ylj 

May  13,  '6.j 

May  14,  '6_j 

May  13,  '64 

a 
May  12,   "'64 

May  2,  '64. 
May  13,  '64 
April  30,  '64 
.  May  14,  '64. 
May  4,  '64. 
May,  14,  '64 
May  12,  '64 
May  13,  '64 
April  30,  '64 
May  27,  '64 
May  23,  '64 
May  12,   '64 


.May  2,   '64. 

.May  1,   '64. 
cc 

.May  2,   '64. 

•  May  3,  '64. 

.May   24,  '64 
u 

.May  12,  '64 
.May  14,  '64 
.May  2,  '64. 
.  April  30,  '64 
May  12,  '64 
•May  13,   '64 

.May  12,  '64 
.  May  9,  '64 . 
.May  14,  '64 
.May  13/64 
.May  2,  '64. 
.May  12,  '64 
.  April  30,  '64 
.May  [2,  '64 
.May  13,  '64 
.May  15,   '64 


Died  at  Cairo. 


Promoted. 


530  HISTORY  OF   MASON  COUNTY. 

CO.  1.  ISBth  (loo  DAYS)  ILL.  INF.— Continued. 

NAME  AND  RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF    ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 

Geo.  H.  Rupert,  Havana.  . . .  May  \6,'Gj\.  . 

Geo.  M.  Schultz         -     May  i-O'q.  . 

J  as.   M.    Schultz         -      "        

Marcus  Sisson,  Bath .Apr.  3o,'6j. . 

[rving  Smith         "      May    5,Yq  .  . 

Phillip  'Poland      "      May    2,'6_j .  . 

Walter  Tolly         "     "       

N.  E.  Thompson  ,w      May    8,'6^  . . 

W.  H.  Walker,  Havana  .  .  .  .May   I2,'6.:|  .  . 

Fred.  Wente,  Topeka May  i  |,'6_| . . 

Martin  Shay,  Mason  Co.  .  .  .  June  i  ,'6.|  .  . 
H.J.  B.  Stillman      «         .  ...  « 

CO.  H,  145th  {WO  DATS)  ILL.  I.YF. 

John  Earnett, Mason  City  ..May  S,'64.. 
J  ohn  M.  Griffith  "  . .  May  io,'6 1 .  . 
Jacob  Herwig  "         ..         "       .... 

CO.  ('.  148th  <7   YEAR)  l.YI'\ 

A.J.  Roberts,  Manito Feb.    8,'65- . 

W.  C.  Boone  "        " 

fohn  Barnes  "        

John  Dowden  "        v>        .... 

Reese  Dowden  '_'        "        .... 

Win.  Pollard  k'        "        

C.  H.  Porter  "        

B.  F.  Pollard  "        

C.Pendleton  "  "         Descried. 

H.C.Reynolds  "       

(i.  Smith"  "        "        

G.W.White  «       "       ...  .Died  March  1865. 

CO.  B,  I  hist  (one  i/ear)  ILL.  IM'. 

fohn  II.  Rankin,  Havana..  .Feb.  i.|,'r>^.. 

fohn  Shugarl  "       ...         ••       ....Deserted. 

CO.  A,  15 2d  (one  year)  ILL.  IMF. 

Robt.  F.  Fisher,  Easton  ....Feb.   7, '65.. Died  at JefFersonville. 
f.  H.  B.  Fisher  "        ....  "        Died  at 'home. 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY.  33I 


CO.  B,  2<l  CAVALRY. 

NAME   AM)    RESIDENCE.       DATE  OK    ENLISTMENT.       REM  AUKS. 

W.  L.  Blakesly,  Mason  C'y. Mar.  12,  '6i. 
II.  Martinie,  Salt  Creek.  ."..Mar.  31,  '64. 

\V.  Wolf,  «  ....         "       .... 

CO.  C,  2d  CAVALRY. 

[ohn  Goodheart,  Havana. .  July  31,  '61  .Promoted. 

John  Fallis  "  . .  .  "        Promoted. 

Phillip  D.  Baxter,    "  ...         "       

E.J.  Tinker, 

Geo.  Moore,  "  ...  kk        Promoted. 

[ohn  E.  Nikirk,        "  ...  [uly  3,  '6i  .  . 

Clark.  S.  Chatfield,  Bath 

[ohn  J.  Thomas,  Havana ...  "        .... 

[ohn  S.  Brooks,  Havana   ...  "        .... 

().  Breedan,  Bath "       

R.  S.  Eakin,  Manito "       Promoted. 

[.  M.  .Shook,  Havana "        

Thos.  A.  Ringland,  Havana .  "        

[ohn  H.  West,  Havana "          ...  Promoted. 

E.  Talman,  Havana "        

W.  [.  Anderson,    Havana.  .  .  "        .... 

Lew  Aubere,  Havana Promoted. 

C.  Bohlier,  Havana    

John  B.  Bond,  Havana 

L.  Burnell,  Havana 

D.  S.  Broderic,  Havana     .  . . 

S.  G.  B.  Barker,  Bath 

John  L.  Barndollar,  Havana .  'k        .... 

CO.  B,  2d,  CAVALRY. 

Adam  Cotterman,  Havana.  .July  3,  '61  . . 

John  Conwell,  Havana "  .... 

[ohn  T.  Davis,  Bath "        Died  at  Memphis. 

Chas.  Holder,   Bath 

fames  Dacy,  Havana "  ... 

"R  ob't  Eaton,    Havana "        

Peter  Holt,  Havana "        Promoted. 

W.  D.  Hill,  Bath 

].  D.  Hudson,  Havana "  ... 

*E.  S.  Hibbard,  Mason  City.  "       

I.  H.  Haines,  Mason  City ..  .  '"  •••• 

E.  Z.  Hunt,  Havana "  ...  Promoted. 


a 


7      _  '  MfBH 

I 

_ 

- 
R. 
V. 
-    7 
JLELOtte 

Bumfl!  H_  Pfo- 

:n  7  .: 

E>--- 

~    ;~    -  .-  -  -  . 

.  _Jmly   : 

Pener  . 

.     -  - 
* 

rnear,   - 

E    - 

~ 

lasH  Vaaaalv 


Dtsiid  WSKaoasy  Hareanma-  -- 

! 

._  Boor.-  E 

_ 
HLJ-  Mow 

■ 


MCE  A3 

M.  D,  WaEt . 

"  :  '.   -  .       -       - 

M 

Da  :::    -  '     ".  '  _  -  - 


Geo 

-       . 

W.  G.  Q ..  .  . 

_ 

W>  A 


i:;i   T:T7C".   irF:r^:cn-;f: "■.  .  ft    ;    /':  t 

.&  A-  T  -     • 

— •  • ,  - , 


534 


in  vi  01;  \    01     mam  >.\  ( or  n  i  ^ 


CO  M-  .'</  ILL  CAVALRY. 


\.\MI.    \\l>   RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF   ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 


Havana . 


.Oct. 
.  Nov, 
.  Nov, 
.  Oct. 
.Dec. 
.Oct. 


().  II.  Shearei 

\V.  II.  Webb 

Win.  Coachman 

Cyrus  Marsh 

James  II.  Smith.  Bath .... 

Lafayette  Powell,  Havana 

C.  L.Johnson,  Havana Nov 

Win.  Swartwood,  Bath Nov 

Duncan  McGilver,  Havana.  .Nov 
Byron  Grant  "     . .    .Nov 

J.  M.  Darrel  ••       ...Nov 

Henry  Maxwell  "      ...  .Oct. 

Samuel  B.  Pearce,  Bath  .  .  .  .Nov 
Henry  Anglemire,  Havana.. Dec. 

Daniel  E.  Banks,  Bath Nov 

George  Butler         "      Nov 

I  .  Bartholomew,  Havana.  .  .Nov 
Lawrence    Butler,  Bath Dec. 


.XoV 

.Dec. 

.X«»V 

.Nov 
.  Nov 
.Dec 


F.  M.  Bcarder 

G.  W.  Conklin 
C.IG.  Cogshall 
R.  A.  C lurry 
A.  W.  Cain,  Havana  . 
John  Crossman      " 

'Henry  J.  Cline,  Bath Dec. 

A.  Dickinson,   Havana Oct. 

Wm.  G.  Davis,  Bath Nov 

Richard  England,  Havana  .  .Nov, 
Fred.  Fisher  "  ..Dec. 

Ed.  Farrell  "        ..Dec. 

George  Furrer  "  ..Dec. 

Amos  Gee,  Bath Nov, 

Oliver  J.  Gee,  Bath Nov. 

Elias  Gibson  "      Nov, 

F.  E.  Howard,  Havana Dec. 

Francis  Hadlock,Bath Dec. 

Myron  Hopkins      "      Oct. 

Franklin  L. Jones,  Havana.. Nov. 
jeptha  Jones  "         .  .  Dec. 

Fred   Lispc  "        .  .  Dec. 

Martin  Lineweaber      -        ..Dec. 
|oel  Musselman  "       ..Dec. 

Thomas  Mohley  "       ...Nov. 

Thos.  F.  Malone  -       .  .Nov. 

Daniel  McDonald  "        ..Nov. 


26,  '6 

9,  '6 
6, '6 

,^o,  Y 
30.  '6 

29,  V) 

2  1  ,Y> 

16/6 

i"  Y 

6,Y 

29,'6 

30,  6 

6,y 

25,'6 

27,'6 

n,Y 

3,'6 

.    7,'6 

•  i9,'6 

.   20,'6 

io,'6 

20,'6 

8,'6 

6,y 

2  Y 
1 3»'6 

2,'6 

S,'6 

2^6 

8,'6 

2,'6 

5,'6 

u,Y 
6,'6 

io,'6 
a  Y 
1 1,  '6 
19/6 
27/6 


Promoted  Captain. 
Promoted  Sergeant. 


Died  at   Bolivar 


Died  at  Memphis. 


Promoted. 


Deserted. 


.Died  April   [S62. 


Died  at  Memphis 


HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


.>.i5 


CO.  M,  J  nil  a  1  TALK  1  '-Continued. 

NAME   AND    RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF   ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 


O.  G.  Millison,  Havana Nov.  29,  '6 

J.  S.  Millison,  '.'        Dec.  7,  '61 

Joseph  O'Neal,   Bath Nov.  20,  '6 

S.  I).  Owen,  Havana Nov.  9,  '61 

Thos  Pulling,        "        ....:.  Dec.  4,  Yi 

W  R.  Parsley,       «        Nov.  29,  '6 

Geo  Robinson,      ik       Nov.  6,  Yi 

John  Ray,  Hath Nov.  1  (,  Y 

F.  Staley,       "      Dec.  30,  '6 

Warren  Samms,  Havana  ...Nov.  19,  '6 

Geo  S.  Spinner,  Bath " 

Jacob  Sizelove,        "      ......Dec.  9,  '6i 

N.  Sizelove,  "      Dec.    10,  Y 

Win.  Sizelove,        "      Dec.   1  i,  Y 

Andrew  J.  Smith,  w>      Dec.  2,  '6i 

Isaac  Tinktnn,  Havana Nov.  6,  '6i 

Harper  West,  -l        Now  6,  '6l 

John  W.  Wallace,  Hath Nov.  i..|,  '6 

L.  C.  Waggoner,  Havana  ..Nov.  15,  '6 
Moses  Walker,  ..Nov.  19,  '6 


Died  at  Paducah. 

Died  at  Paducah. 
Died  at  Paducah. 
Died  in  Mason  county. 


Died  at  Baton  Rousre. 


Wm  Warner, 


..Oct.  28,  Ym  .Died  at  Paducah. 
VETERANS. 


).  A.  Crawford,  Mason  Co.  .Mar  [4,  Yi  .  . 
Thos  Mobly,  "       ..  « 


Joshua  Ashurst,  Havana 
II.  P.  Allman, 
John  J.  Beardon,       tk 
John  Bremley,         " 
Greenberry  Baker,  " 
Win  Brown,  " 


RECRUITS. 

..Aug.  iS,'62. 
a. 

.  .  Aug.  7,  '62  . 
.  .  Aug.  1  2,  Y2 
.  .  Dec.  I,  '62. 
..Aug.  17,  Yj 


CO.  M,  2nd  CAVALRY 

Geo.  W.  Duffell,  Havana  ...Mar  17,  '62   . 
Dennis  Doyle,  "       ....  .Sept.  6,  Y2  . . 

J.  W.  Ellis,  Mason  Co Mar  20,  Y2.  .Died  in  Memphis. 

A.  Flemming,  Havana Aug.  1 1,  '62. 

Wm  L.  Guy,  "        Died  at  Baton   Rouge. 

R.  K.  Ishmeal,  Mason  Co   .  .Oct.  31,  Yi  .  . 
James  Johnson,  1  lavana  ....  Aug.  18,  '62  . 
M.Johns,  ".        ....An-'.  [4, '62 .  Died  at  Holy  Springs. 


*-  ■: 


v.vjce  Jtxr 


^Uc         bsncm 


Joseph  O  ! 

- 


.\,  Rarest:  - 

- 

.Dec.  - 

bftoHs  W3k».  - 

~  ... 
-fifoac 

i 

mstr  Sc.v  ■ 
Ge>     Perd  :.t.  .Died  as:  R^L 


•-"»  KXSTDESiCE-      DATS  Off 

la  Fair.  Srj  Cane  --  -A»£. »^: 

H  ^d  ill  .:    i\ 


J.  Gilpatricfc-  Sar  ^ara  scat 

--,-.— V  ♦:-   .--_!.--.        Air;      '-. 

i  ■:-  .-    : :  :    .  _  a __■_-_■_-.. 

Heatrr  C.  Steele.  Sov  _ 

H.  WagyeeKS".  Sr-rtrt: 

W.  BL  Wa5£I  i .  S  -  t  Cane  .    >=r:  -   . 

Ml  Pearson.  L~r:iV^r_- 

Gool  W.  .     1  e~-Ma«s&...rcEu  I 

I."-.-       .      -•-.-  - 


-  *  .  -       _ 

:-:  ?    :: -.-..-.-    - 

--    -'--   -"—  *  Oct.    zcJ'zz  .  J>  - :  b:   _r:_:— --. 

.  &*  oj.rjZL : 
h--..-    ;.  i .-:.  i --         :  :■-    -  •-_  . 

i    ZOih  CJJULMT. 

.     i.  :::       _  ■  .:.  _ 

B.  M_  Bass.  Ibn  C©....Sepfc.3cA 

O.D.  Bs: 

Lewi?  G.  Tapp.  Harass.  _  .  .Jaa.    j,  "^Si 

A"  :    \  . .-  -  -_lj  : 

Tr.   ::.:.-  ZA-..-.  A\ --..-:_  .    _  .  - 

x  b.  ugk  cirjLxr. 

.--  .  AA;  :_.  -    ?  _  '_  .  ,  -       _■_-_        At:      ?_--- -:.  -.. 

— 


3  $S 


HISTORY   OF   MASON    COUNTY. 


CO.  (',  1 1th  CAVALRY. 

NAMi;   AND  RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF  ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS. 

Sam'1  Hill,  Sangore Nov.  15,  *6i . 

James  Glead,  Sangore Nov.  14,  '6i . 

Sam'l  Bowman,    "        Nov.  17,  '61. 

James  Neil,  "       "       

J.  \V.  I  lite,  "        Feb;  20,  '64. 

J.  C.  Hull,  "       Nov.  22,  »6i. 

D.  W.  W.  Taylor,  Salt cr'k. Mar.  24,  '64. 

CO.  F,  11th  CAVALRY. 

A.  Westerfield,  Mason  Co.  .Oct.  iS,'  61  .  .Died  at  Corinth. 

Win,  Senate,    Havana Oct.  7,  '6i  .  . 

F.  Westerfield,      "        Sept.  20,  '6i 

Dennis  Clary,        -        Oct.  7/61.. 

Geo.  Lock,  "        Sept.  24,  '6i 

John  D.  Sannus,  "        Dec.  20,  "63 

CO.  K,  11th  CAVALRY. 

A.  Maxwell,    Mason  Plains. Mar.  3,  ^6^.  . 

CO.  L,  lit  It  CAVALRY. 


it 

it 


S.     D.    Poland,    Havana 
John  Bell,  " 

John  Allen, 
John  B.  Conover,     " 
F.  M.  Stuart, 
Michael  J.  Beck,       M 
John  Bordie, 
John  Conover, 
V.  Carson, 
Geo.  Conover, 
Comhes  Conover, 
Wm.  Fisher, 
Caleb   M.  Frazer, 
James  Gawison, 
\\'m.  Kiner, 
W.  W.  Melntyre, 
John    Mollis, 
Green   Pelham, 
Philo  Peck, 
Rob't  Quigle, 
W'm.  Rote, 


.  .Oct.  7,  '6i . .  .Promoted. 

. .  Nov.  27,  '61 . 

.  .Nov.  20,  '61 . 

.  .Nov.  23,  '61. Died  at  Keokuk. 

.  .Nov.  19,  '6 1 . 

. .  Nov.  6,  '6 1 . . 

..Oct.  25,  '61 .. 

.  .Nov.  23,  '6i . 

.  .Nov.  15,  '6 1 . 

.  .Nov.  23,  '61 . 

"        ...  .Died  at  vSt.  Louis. 
.  .  Dye.  9,  '6i  .  .  .Drowned   Tenn.  river. 
..Nov.   18,  '61. 

.  .Nov.  25,  '61  .Died  at  Jackson. 
. .  Nov.  28,  '61 . 
.  .Nov.  20,  '6 1 . 
.  .Dec.  5,  '6 1 .  . . 

. .  Nov.  2S,  '6i . 

tt 

..Oct.  25,  '6i..  Died  at  Louisville. 
..Dec.  7,  "6 1    ..Died  at  Bolivar. 


1IISTOKY   OF  MASON   COUNTY 


339 


COMPANY  L, 

11th  a  IVALR  Y— Continued. 

NAME    AND    RESIDENCE.       DATE  OF   ENLISTMENT.       REMARKS 

Henry    Rabe,    Havana. 

Nov.  35,  '6i . 

Amos  Snider, 

.« 

. .  .  .Dec.   15,  '6 1  . 

A.  Shindleman, 

a 

Oct.  35,  '6i.. 

W.  Spellman, 

t( 

....Nov.  15,  '6i  .Deserted. 

Samuel  Webb, 

a 

. . .  .Oct.  35,  '61 . . 

John  O.  Wagner, 

il 

Nov.  16,  '6 1 . 

Geo  Zimmerman, 

u 

Nov.  13,  '61 . 

Geo  Leadman, 

u 

Oct.  4,  '61 . .  • 

a 
a 

a 

M 

u 
u 


a. 


John  H.  Allen,  Havana. 

John  Bordle, 

W.  T.  Ball, 

Chas  Dering, 

John  Elliot, 

Michael  Ibeck, 

W.  H.  Kinner, 

W.  W.  Mclntyre, 

John  Morris, 

Owen  Maid, 

L.  G.  Pelham, 

Wm  Smith, 

J.  Shundlemeyer, 

A.  Shnndlemever, 

F.  M.  Stuart, 


James  Adkins,  Havana  . 
Theodore  Bell, 
Wm  T.  Ball, 
John  N.  Corman,     " 
John  R.  Dimmit,  Topek 
J.  Diefenbacher,  Havana 
Chas  Dearing,  " 

Wm  E.  Halsel, 
W.  Jackson,  « 

Owen  Maid,  " 

J.  Shindlemyer,         " 
Wm  Smith,  " 


VETERANS. 

Dec.  30,  '63. Promoted, 
cc 

Dec.  33,  '63. 


Dec.  30,  '63 

a 

... 

u 

Dec.  33,  '63 

(C 

u 

Dec.  33,  '64 


u 


RECR.  UITS. 

..Dec.  35,  '61  .Deserted. 
.  .May  1,  '61 . . 
.  .Dec.  35,  '61 . 
.  Nov.  23,  '6i  .Deserted. 
.  .April  19,  '64. 
.  .Dec.  25,  '61 . 
.  .Nov.  25,  '61. 
. .  April  21,  '64 . 

..Dec.   20,  '61.  Died  at  Jackson. 
.  .Dec.  25,  '6i . 
, .  .Dec.  30,  '61 . 
.  .Feb.  33,  '62. 


1st  ARTILLERY,  BATTERY  K. 

Wm.  T.  Nutt,  Mason  City  .  .Aug.  1, '63    .Mustered    out  Corporal. 

1 


$40  HISTORY    OF    MASON    COUNTY. 


The  preceding  pages  show  as  near  a  perfect  list  of  the  men  in 
the  army  from  Mason  county  as  is  obtainable  from  the  Adjutant 
General's  records.  To  obtain  these  has  necessitated  a  search  of 
five  thousand  six  hundred  pages  of  matter.  The  residences  of  the 
first  three  months' men  are  not  on  the  records  at  all;  neither  arc- 
records  full  as  to  the  residences  of  all  in  the  three  years'  service. 
These  we  have  supplied  in  this  work  as  far  as  possihle;  also  col- 
lected many  names  erroneously  given  on  the  records.  If  omissions 
have  been  made,  we  are  satisfied  they  are  very  few,  hut  think  there 
are  none,  as  our  search  has  been  thorough. 

In  the  following  pages  we  give  brief  sketches  of  some  of  the  reg- 
iments, mostly  composed  of  Mason  county  men. 

SEVENTEENTH    INFANTRY. 

The  seventeenth  regiment  of  Illinois  infantry  volunteers  was 
mustered  into  the  service  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  on  the  24th  of  May, 
1861;  left  camp  on  the  17th  of  June,  for  Alton,  Illinois.  Late  in 
July  it  left  Alton  for  St.  Charles,  Missouri;  remaining  but  one  day 
there,  it  proceeded  to  Warrenton,  Missouri,  where  it  remained  in 
camp  about  two  weeks.  Company  A  being  detailed  as  body  guard 
to  general  John  Pope,  with  headquarters  at  St.  Charles. 

The  regiment  left  Warrenton  for  St.  Louis,  and  embarked  for 
Bird's  Point,  Missouri.  Remained  at  Bird's  Point  some  weeks 
doing  garrison  duty,  then  proceeded  to  Sulphur  Springs  landing; 
debarking  there,  proceeded  via.  Pilot  Knob  and  Ironton  to  Fred- 
ericktown,  Missouri,  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Jeff.  Thompson,  anil  joined 
Gen.  Prentice's  command  at  Jackson,  Mo.;  thence  to  Kentucky  to 
assist  in  the  construction  of  Fort  Holt;  thence  to  Elliott's  Mills, 
and  returned  to  Fort  Holt;  thence  to  Cape  Girardeau,  and  again 
in  pursuit  of  Jeff.  Thompson's  forces.  Participated  in  an  engage- 
ment near  Greenfield ;  lost  one  man  killed  and  several  wounded. 
Returned  to  Cape  Girardeau,  doing  provost  duty  until  February, 
[862,  when  ordered  to  Fort  Henry.  Participated  in  that  engage- 
ment and  Fort  Donaldson,  losing  several  men  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners.  Then  proceeded  to  Metal  Landing,  Tennessee 
river,  and  embarked  for  Savanna,  Tenn.;  from  thence  to  Pittsburg 
Landing,  and  was  assigned  to  the  First  Division,  Army  of  West 
Tennessee,  under  Gen.  John  A.  McClernand;  was  engaged  in  the 
battles  of  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  and  suffered  great  loss  in  killed 
and    wounded.     "\\ ras  with    the    advance   on   Corinth.     After  the 


HISTORY  OK  MASON  COUNTY.  3j! 


evacuation  of  Corinth,  marched  to  Purely,  Bethel  and  Jackson, 
Term.  Remained  to  the  17th  of  July,  and  was  then  ordered  to 
Bolivar,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  as  provost  guard.  Remained  at 
Boliver  until  Now  1862;  was  in  the  expedition  to  Iuka,  to  reinforce 
Gen.  Rosecrans;  was  at  the  battle  ofHatchie.  Returned  again  to  Bol- 
ivar; remained  till  November.  Then  ordered  to  Lagrange,  report- 
ing to  Gen.  Logan;  was  assigned  duty  as  provost  guard.  Early  in 
Dec.  marched  to  Holly  Springs;  thence  to  AbbeyviUe,  guarding  rail- 
roads; thence  to  Oxford.  After  the  capture  of  Holly  Springs,  was 
assigned  to  Sixth  Division,  17th  Army  Corps,  under  Gen.  McPher- 
son.  Then  proceeded  via.  Moscow,  to  Collierville  and  Memphis,  and 
assigned  duty  at  the  navy  yard.  Remained  there  until  Jan.  16,  and 
embarked  for  Vicksburg;  re-embarked  and  proceeded  to  Lake 
Providence,  Louisiana,  then  headquarters  17th  army  corps,  where 
it  remained  until  the  investment  of  Vicksburg.  Arrived  at  Milli- 
ken's  Bend  May  1st.  Marched  across  the  Delta  to  Perkin's  Land- 
ing on  the  Mississippi  river;  crossed  below  Grand  Gulf,  and  ad- 
vanced via.  Raymond,  Champion  Hills,  Jackson,  Big  Black,  and 
to  final  investment  of  Vicksburg.  After  the  surrender  of  that  city, 
remained  there  doing'  garrison  duty  and  making  incursions  into  the 
country  as  far  east  as  Meridien,  and  west  as  far  as  Monroe,  La.  The 
regiment  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  muster  out  and 
final  discharge,  when  and  where  those  of  the  original  organization 
who  did  not  re-enlist  as  veterans,  were  mustered  out  and  discharged. 
A  sufficient  number,  however,  re-enlisted  to  entitle  them  to  retain 
their  regimental  organization;  the  veterans  and  recruits  whose  term 
of  service  had  not  expired,  were  consolidated  with  the  8th  Illinois 
infantry  volunteers^  and  were  finally  mustered  out  and  discharged 
with  that  regiment  in  the  spring  of  1866. 

TWENTY-SEVENTft    INFANTRY. 

The  twenty-seventh  infantry  Illinois  volunteers  was  organized 
with  only  seven  companies,  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  August  10, 
1 861,  and  ordered  to  Jacksonville  as  part  of  Gen.  McClemand's 
brigade. 

September  1st,  1S61,  ordered  to  Cairo,  where  the  three  remain- 
ing companies  joined.  It  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Belmont 
Nov.  7,  [S6l,  bore  a  prominent  part  and  lost  severely.  On  the 
evacuation  of  Columbus,  Kentucky,  this  regiment  was  sent  to  that 
point.     On  March   [4th,  it  formed  a   part  of  the   Mississippi  flotilla, 


342  HISTORY  Ol     MASON  COUNTY. 

and  went  down  the  river  to  Island  No.  10.  The  27th  was  the  first  to 
hind  on  that  island.  Moved  to  Fort  Pillow,  but  was  recalled  and 
ordered  to  Pittsburg  Landing.  Was  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Cor- 
inth and  battle  of  Farmington.  Was  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  al 
Boonville,  and  returned  to  Corinth.  In  July,  [862,  ordered  toluka, 
and  soon  afterwards  along  the  line  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
Railroad,  where  it  remained  until  September,  when  it  crossed  the 
Tennessee  river  at  Decatur,  Alabama,  and  made  a  rapid  march  for 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  it  arrived  September  12,  and  remained 
in  that  city  during  the  time  it  was  eut  off  from  communication  from 
the  north,  it  was  with  the  advance  from  Nashville,  and  engaged 
in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  where  it  was  particularly  distinguish- 
ed. June  24th,  1 S63,  moved  against  Shelbyville  and  Tullahoma; 
thence  to  Bridgeport,  Alabama.  September  2d,  1863,  moved  to- 
ward Rome,  Georgia;  returned  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga,  where  it  suffered  severely.  Was  in  Chattanooga 
during  its  investment,  and  was  in  the  storming  of  Mission  Ridge, 
and  was  noted  for  its  good  behavior.  From  Mission  Ridge  it  went 
on  a  forced  march  to  the  relief  of  Knoxville,  then  closely  pressed 
1>\  Longstreet.  It  returned  to  Loudon,  Tennessee,  Jan.  25,  1864, 
and  remained  till  April,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Cleveland,  Tenn. 
From  here  it  moved  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  on  the 
Atlantic  campaign.  Was  engaged  at  Rockfaced  Ridge,  at  Resaca, 
Calhoun,  Adairsville,  Dallas,  Pinetop  Mountain,  Chattahoochie 
riser,  Peachtrec  Creek,  and  Atlanta. 

Was  relieved  from  duty  at  the  front  Aug.  25,  1864,  and  ordered  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  for  muster  out.  Was  detained  two  days  at 
Nashville  in  apprehension  of  an  attack.  During  the  term  of  serv- 
ice it  had  the  following  casualities:  Killed  or  died  of  wounds,  [02; 
died  of  disease,  80;  wounded,  328;  discharged  and  resigned,  209; 
transferred,  39.  Veterans  and  recruits  consolidated  with  the  9th 
Illinois  infantry  volunteers. 

TWENTY.EIGHTH    ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEER     tNFANTY. 

The  twenty-eighth  infantry  Illinois  volunteers  was  organized  al 
Camp  Butler  August  1861;  August  28  ordered  to  Thebes,  Illinois; 
Sept.  9  to  Bird's  Point,  Missouri;  Octoher  2  to  Fort  Holt,  Ken- 
tucky, w  here  it  remained  until  Jan.  31,  [862, whence  it  moved  to  Pa- 
ducah,  K.v.  Feb.  5  moved  up  the  Tennessee  river.  Feb.  6  assist- 
ed in  the  capture  of  Forts  Henry  and  Heiman.     Feb.  13th,  j>S  men 


HISTORY  OF    MASON   COUNTY.  3-|  3 

and  12  officers,  under  Col.  Johnson,  met  an  enemy  500  strong,  five 
miles  from  Fort  Henry;  attacked  and  routed  them. 

April  6,  1S62,  called  into  line  and  assigned  a  position  on  the  left 
in  Peach  Orchard.  Held  its  position  from  S  A.  m.  until  3  P.  M,and 
then  retired  under- orders.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  it  held  a 
position  on  the  right  and  was  hotly  engaged  till  the  close  of  the 
battle.  During  these  two  long  and  bloody  days  this  regiment  be- 
haved nobly,  and  was  never  broken  or  driven  back,  though  often 
heavily  pressed.  It  sustained  a  loss  of  239  killed  and  wounded. 
Was  in  the  siege  of  Corinth;  marched  to  Memphis  via.  Grand 
Junction,  Lagrange,  Holly  Springs,  Moscow,  Lafayette,  Colliers- 
ville  and  Germantown.  Marched  Sept.  6th,  reached  Bolivar  14th, 
and  Big  Muddy  river  Oct.  4th.  Oct.  5th  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Matamora,  losing  97  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  Returned  to 
Bolivar  Oct.  7,  1862. 

After  various  marches  in  the  winter  of  1S62,  the  28th  was  engaged 
in  the  siege  of  Vieksbuurg  from  June  1 1  to  July  4,  1863,  On  July 
12th,  1863,  near  Jackson,  Mississippi,  this  regiment  lost  in  killed 
and  wounded  more  than  half  of  the  rank  and  file  in  eight  compa- 
nies, numbering  128  men,  lost  73  men  killed  and  16  prisoners. 

January  4,  1864,  re-enlisted  in  the  veteran  service.  May  18,  pro- 
ceeded to  Illinois  for  veteran  furlough.  May  29,  every  man  who 
had  been  furloughed,  reported  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  and  the 
regiment  moved  for  Natchez,  where  it  arrived  July  8th. 

After  further  prolonged  and  honoroble  service  in  the  southern 
states  they  returned  to  the  north  and  were  mustered  out. 

No.  enlisted   in  first  organization 761 

Recruits 959 

Total 1720 

Commissioned  officers  killed .  9 

"  "  wounded 19 

"  "         discharged 49 

«  "         dismissed 4 

"  "  died  of  disease 2 

"  "         transferred ' 3 — S6 

Enlisted  men  killed 53 

"  "       died  of  wounds 34 

"  "       wounded  and  missing 282 


$4  |  HIS1  (MO    ol      M  VSON   c  (il'S  T\ 


Enlisted  men  killed  accidentally  and  died i  1 1 

"      discharged 145 

transferred iS — 977 

EIGHTY-FIFTH    INFANTRY    VOLUNTEERS. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  in  August,  [862, 
l>v  Col.  Robert  S.  Moore,  and  must, Med  into  the  service  August 
27th,  [862.  Ordered  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  Sept.  6,  186.1,  and 
assigned  to  the  thirty-sixth  brigade,  eleventh  division,  Third  Army 
Corps,  Gol.  D.  McCook  commanding  brigade,  and  Brig.-Gen. 
1!.  ii.  Sheridan  commanding  division. 

The  eighty-fifth  marched  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  under  Gen. 
Bragg,  October  1st,  [862,  and  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Chap- 
lain ITills,  Perryville,  Kv..  October  8.  and  moved  with  the  army 
to  Nashville,  arriving  Nov.  7,  1862. 

Mustered  out  June  5,  [865,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  arrived  at 
Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  June  11,  1865,  where  it  received  final  pay- 
ment and  discharge. 

ONE    III  XDRED    AND    EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

The  one  hundred  and  eighth  Illinois  infantry  volunteers  was 
organized  at  Peoria  the  27th  and  mustered  into  service  the  28th  of 
August,  1862. 

On  October  6th,  left  Peoria  for  Covington,  Kentucky,  via.  Lo- 
gansport,  Indianapolis  and  Cincinnati,  arriving  at  Covington  the 
morning  of  the  8th.  The  regiment  here  drew  the  necessary  trans- 
portation and  camp  equippage,  and  on  the  17th  marched  with  its 
division  into  the  interior  of  the  state  after  a  retreating  enemy. 

November  14th,  the  regiment  marched  for  Louisville,  via.  Ver- 
sailles, Frankfort  and  Shelbyville,  and  reached  Louisville  on  the 
19th,  and  on  the  21st  embarked  on  board  of  transports  for  Mem- 
phis, where  it  arrived  on  the  26th,  and  went  into  camp  near  the 
city. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  it  embarked  on  board  the  "City  of 
Alton,"  and  proceeded  in  the  expedition  against  Yicksburg.  They 
landed  near  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  on  the  evening  of  the  28th,  and 
bivouacked  for  the  night.  The  various  experiences  of  the  regi- 
ment in  this  region  we  have   no  room  to  detail,   but  its  whole  duty 


HISTORY    OP     MASON    COUNTY 


345 


was  unflinchingly   performed.     It  returned   to   Vicksburg  on    the 

24th  of  January,  1863,  disembarked  and  went  into  camp. 

Inconveniences  of  transportation,  impure  air,  and  lack  of  sanitary 
conveniences,  cost  the  ioSth  more  lives  than  all  other  causes — [35 
of  its  members  died,  in  February  and  March,  1863. 

On  July  18th,  186^,  this  regiment  broke  camp  for  the  purpose  of 
returning  to  their  homes,  from  which  they  had  been  absent  three 
long  and  bloody  years  of  the  war.  On  August  5th,  iS6^,  the  final 
muster  rolls  were  ma.de  out  and  signed  by  the  mustering  officer, 
and  the  regiment  embarked  for  Cairo.  From  thence  it  proceeded 
by  rail  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  where,  on  the  1  ith  of  August  it  was 
paid  and  fully  discharged  from  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
having  acted  well  its  important  part  in  the  war. 


A  conclusion  of  the  military  history  of  Mason  county  would  not 
be  complete  without  a  reference  to  those  brave  soldiers  who,  failing 
of  an  acceptance  of  their  services  in  our  own  State,  and  determined 
to  have  a  hand  in  suppressing  the  rebellion,  enlisted  in  other  states. 
About  one  hundred  men  from  Mason  county  applied  to  Gov. 
Yates  for  admission  to  the  ranks,  and  our  quota  being  more  than 
full,  could  not  be  received.  To  their  solicitations  Gov.  Yates  re- 
plied, "That  Mason  county  could  not  fight  this  war  alone,  that 
other  parts  of  the  State  desired  a  representation  in  the  service  as 
well  as  Mason  county.'1  These  men  went  to  St.  Louis  and  enlisted 
in  the  8th  Missouri,  not  giving  their  residences  as  in  Illinois. 

In  order  to  obtain  a  full  record  of  all  Mason  county's  soldiers, 
we  addressed  the  Adjutant  General  of  Missouri,  requesting  the 
roster  of  enlisted  men  in  that  regiment,  and  received  the  following 
reply : 

Headquarters,  State  of   Missouri, 
Adjutant  General's  Office, 

City  of  Jefferson,   June  igtJi,  /8j6. 
1.  Cochrane,  Esq., 

Havana,  Mason  Comity,  Illinois: 

Sir:  It  does  not  appear  from  the  "J  )escriptive 
Book"  of  the  8th  regiment  infantry   Missouri  volunteers,  on   file  in 

—44 


Ll6  HISTOR'Y   «'l     MASON  COUNTY, 

this  office,   that  there   were  any  enlistments  in  said    regiment  from 
Mason  conntv,  Illinois. 

Verv  respectfully, 

G.  C.  Bingham, 

Adft  Gen.  Missouri. 

By  W.  F.  Melbourne, 

Chief  Clerk. 

Hence  we  have  been  unable  to  ohtain  a  list  of  those  in  that 
regiment.  The  following  figures  will  compare  more  than  favora- 
bly with  the  war  record  of  any  county  in  Illinois.  We  quote  from 
the  schedule  of  quotas  and  credits  on  the  records  of  the  Adjutant 
General  of  Illinois: 

Mason  county  had  a  population  in    i860  of 10,929 


Enrollment  in    1S63 , 1,529 

"  in    1S64 1,695 

Revised  enrollment  1865 1,822 

Quota  1S61 306 

"        1862 210 

Call  of  February  and  March 344 

Call  of  July  iSth 265 

Total  quotas  prior  to  Dec.  31,  1864 M25 

Total  credits  to  same  date t  ,514 

Excess  over  all   calls 389 


CONCLUSION 


Wc  have  in  the  preceding  pages  sketched  such  important  facts 
in  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  history  of  our  country,  our  State  and 
our  county,  and  their  institutions,  as  we  believed  would  interest  the 
reader.  We  have  devoted  more  space  to  the  early  history  of  Illi- 
nois than  would  seem  proper,  did  we  not  form  a  part,  and  a  con- 
spicuous illustration  of  that  unprecedented  progress  that  brought 
Illinois  from  an  uninhabited  wilderness,  and  unoccupied  domain,  to 
a  condition  of  improvement  and  progress  unprecedented  in  the 
world's  history.  For  example:  in  1823,  Chicago  contained  ten 
houses  and  sixty  inhabitants.  In  1S31,  a  Postoffice  was  there  es- 
tablished. In  1S32,  it  had  two  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants,  and 
in  1837,  it  had  S,ooo.  It  then  had  three  newspapers,  fifty  lawyers, 
and  thirty  physicians. 

The  city  of  Quincy,  laid  out  in  1S25,  ten  years  later  had  1,500 
inhabitants,  and  now  sustains  a  position  of  the  second  city  in  the 
State,  exceeded  in  beauty  by  none. 

In  1836.  Peoria  had  twenty-five  stores,  and  seven  groceries  and 
and  two  hotels,  a  brewery,  and  two  steam  sawmills.  That  now 
important  railroad  centre,  had  then  four  lines  of  stages,  viz :  one  to 
Galena,  tri-weekly;  one  to  Chicago,  tri-weekly;  one  to  Spring- 
field, and  one  to  Knoxville. 

The  City  of  Ottawa  was  located  in  1830,  and  seven  years  later 
had  seventy-five  families.     See  her  now. 

The  citv  of  Canton  had  only  a  population  of  500,  in  1S36. 
Bloomington,  in  1S37,  had  a  population  of  600,  and  but  two  small 
churches,  two  hotels,  two  lawyers,  and  three  physicians. 


J48  HISTORY  OF    MASON  COUNTY. 


Beardstown  was  laid  out  in    1829,  and  at  the  time  of  the  surve) 
there  was  but  one  log  cabin  in  its  limits.     The  present  status  of 
these   cities  arc  hut  an   index  to  the  agricultural  developments  of 
the  State. 

There  is  a  moral  sublimity  in  the  life  and  character  of  the  pio- 
neer. In  some  arduous  work  or  some  great  achievement,  perhaps, 
:is  in  the  revolution,  which  was  to  cover  with  glory  a  great  portion 
of  the  world,  he  stands  in  the  front  rank,  or  is  the  leader  of  the 
van,  lie  encounters  difficulties  only  to  conquer  them.  Neither 
his  motives  nor  his  aims  may  he  properly  understood,  hut  he  fixes 
his  eye  on  his  work,  ami  presses  forward.  His  enemies  may  raise 
a  storm  of  persecution  to  beat  upon  his  head.  The  darkness  that 
always  besets  an  incipient  day  and  the  opening-  of  his  brilliant 
career  may  brood  thickly  along  his  path,  but  his  confidence  is  not 
shaken.  No  clouds  can  completely  cover  his  horizon.  While  oth- 
ers are  confounded  with  despair,  beyond  the  thick  gloom  of  his 
present,  his  faith  and  hope  contemplates  a  clear  sky,  as  his  eye 
catches  an  occasional  glimpse  of  the  coming  light.  From  the  very 
nature  of  his  work,  being  many  years  in  advance  of  the  age  in 
which  he  lives,  he  advances  with  much  toil.  Poverty  is  al- 
most uniformly  his  lot.  While  the  rich  and  the  gay  are  living  in 
splendor  in  their  eastern  homes,  he  continues  his  arduous  calling, 
and  labors  night  and  day,  not  so  much  for  himself  as  those  who 
succeed  him.  Why  does  he  not  curse  his  lot,  lie  down  and  die? 
Why  labor  and  toil,  and  endure  the  hardships  of  a  frontier  life,  the 
benefits  of  which  will  perhaps  be  enjoyed  by  those  he  may  never  see? 
The  answer  to  these  questions  is  very  plain.  He  is  in  every  sense  a 
providential  man.  He  comes  to  endure  and  to  suffer  for  his  age.  I  Ee 
feels  within  his  heart  the  spirit  of  his  calling.  The  fate  of  coming 
generations  he  sees  in  a  great  part  committed  to  his  single  hands, 
lie  is  willingtO  beoffercd  for  their  weal.  True,  he  has  the  natural 
feelings  of  his  kind.  He  would  be  glad  to  enjoy  the  quiet  and 
serene  pleasures  of  his  home.  The  hearthstone  of  his  little  cottage, 
if  he  is  not  too  poor  to  have  one,  he  would  love  to  see  as  blithe  and 
cheerful  as  that  of  others  in  a  less  busy  life.  No  man  loves  lbs 
wife,  his  children  or  his  neighbors  more  than  he.  A  condition  thai 
would  give  him  leisure  for  all  the  amenities  of  social  life — for  high 
communion  with  nature  and  her  works — for  profound  study  of  no- 
ble monuments,  erected  by  art  and  genius,  through  the  world, 
would  cheer  and  gladden  his  soul,  and  gratify  his  tastes. 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  349 


The  fields  are  as  green  for  him  as  for  other  men;  the  forest  is  as 
gay  in  autumn  or  as  fresh  in  spring.     He,  as  well  as  others,  could 
take  the  partner  of  his   life   and   his   children,  and  walk   out   each 
sweet  summer  evening,  to  view  the  glories  of  the  rural  landscape, 
and  his  heart  would  beat  a  response  to  every  joyful    note  of   the 
warbling   waters   and   the  echoing  woods.     But   no;  he   is  denied 
this.     He  has  work  to  do;  he  has  dangers  to  encounter.     All  these 
things   he  must   forego — must  resign   to  those — for  whom?     The 
coming    settler.       Though    his    own    and    his   companions'  hearts 
often    yearn    after    them     by    reflection,    they    subdue    their    feel- 
ings, and  reluctantly  give  them  up.     1  repeat,  there  is  a  sublimity 
in  the  life  and  character  of  the  pioneer.     He  once  lived  in  the  cen- 
ter of  social   life.     His   home  was  on   his  native    hills,  or  in  some 
rural  valley,  among  his  friends.     His  cottage  stood  in  the  shade  of 
some  venerable  trees,  planted  by  his  ancestors  a  century  ago.    The 
vines  that  wound  around  his  door  posts,  the  shrubs  that  fringed  his 
garden  walks,  and  the  grove  waving  in  the  wind  in  the  rear  of  his 
peaceful  dwelling,  were  all  the  work  of  a  bygone  age.     There  he 
had  known  and  loved  the  mother  that  brought  him  into  the  world; 
there  he  had  revered  a  father,  who  led  him  in  youth  and  conducted 
him  safely  to  manhood.     There  he  first  heard  the  voices  of  brothers 
and  sisters,  the   memories  of  which   now  come  like  visions   to  his 
soul.     There,   in   later  years,  he  laid   those  kindred,  his  venerated 
father  and  his  affectionate  mother,  in  the  silent   grave.     Long  ago 
their   mouldering   bodies   had   passed   away,  and   the  earth   above 
them  had  settled  in  to  supply  their   places.     The  rank  grass,  the 
dilapidated  tombstones,  erected   by  surviving   love,   all    now   pro- 
claim the  old  family  burying-ground,  a  place  for  the  heart  to  lin- 
ger around,   but  not  leave.      And   these   little    mounds,   recently 
formed,  where  the  violets  and  primroses  have  not  yet  had  time  to 
bloom,  tell   that  death   has  been  there  lately.     This   cottager  and 
the  mother  of  his  children  not  long  since  laid  one,  two  or  three  of 
their  own    tender   offspring  beside   the   departed    ones  of   former 
years.     Here,  then,  let  him  linger;  here  let  him  spend  the  remain- 
der of  his  days;  here  let  him  enjoy  the  wife  of  his  youth  and   the 
dear  children  given  him,  and  the  competence  saved  for  him  by  the 
frugality  of  his  lathers.      But  it  must  not  be  so.     He  has  a  work  to 
do.     His  children  are  numerous.     His  patrimony  is  not  enough  for 
them  all.     More  than  that,  the  western  country  needs  his  services. 


35°  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY. 


His  example  is  destined  for  a  new  world.  He  seeks  room  for  the 
energy  of  his  children  to  expand  itself,  where  his  children's  chil- 
dren can  settle  by  his  side.  The  intellectual  and  moral  power  of 
his  descendants  will  there  have  a  more  commanding  influence  on 
the  fortunes  of  the  coming  age.  Perhaps,  in  the  new  country,  he, 
surrounded  by  the  thousand  chances  incident  to  frontier  life,  may 
live  to  see  his  offspring  wielding  for  good  the  fate  of  a  new  repub- 
lic, and  the  destinies  of  a  State  be  committed  to  their  hands. 

These  thoughts,  and  others  like  them,  fill  his  mind  in  his  eastern 
home.  Gradually  he  submits  to  their  influence,  until  he  finds  him- 
self committed  to  their  sway,  and  he  becomes  a  convert  to  his  new 
work.  From  this  moment  he  is  a  pioneer.  He  breaks  away  from 
the  ties  that  bind  him  to  his  native  land.  He  disposes  of  a  few  ar- 
ticles of  loose  property,  and  these  make  a  trial  of  his  faith.  He 
rinds  the  same  things,  when  sold,  looks  differently  in  the  hands  of 
another  person  than  when  it  was  his  own. 

The  farther  he  proceeds  in  these  sacrifices,  the  more  strength  he 
acquires  for  what  remains  to  be  done.  His  cottage  where  his 
father  lived,  how  can  he  give  it  up?  The  old  well,  with  "its  moss 
covered  bucket,"  must  he  never  drink  from  its  cool,  sweet  waters 
more?  That  neat  front  \  aid,  where  his  children  have  skipped  and 
played  among  the  shrubbery  and  flowers;  must  these  children 
never  gambol  there  again.  But  then  those  green  graves  of  his 
ancestors,  and  those  other  fresh,  little  hillocks  where  the  violets 
had  not  yet  bloomed;  must  all  be  left  to  the  neglect  of  strangers, 
and  the  vicissitudes  of  coming  years?  In  such  a  conflict,  what 
memories  come  back  to  the  soul. 

Yes?  He  must  go.  He  has  undertaken  the  duties  of  a  pioneer, 
and  all  personal  feelings  must  be  lost  in  the  work. 

There,  reader,  on  that  beautiful  undulation,  that  prairie  swell, 
beside  the  grove  we  see  a  cabin.  The  smoke  from  its  rude  chim- 
iil'v,  the  only  mark  of  civilization  on  all  that  vast  scene  presented 
to  the  view  from  this  eminence  and  grove.  Let  us  go  up  and  see 
what  this  pioneer  has  done.  At  the  time  of  our  visit  he  has  re- 
sided in  his  new  home  twenty-five  years. 

Many  a  day  had  the  deer  in  herds  browsed  the  rich  grass  on  the 
prairie,  and  laid  down  in  the  shade  of  the  grove  to  rest.  Many  a 
dark  night  had  the  grim  old  wolf  crouched  in  the  grass  or  thicket 
watching  for  his  prey.      Perhaps  the  still  wilder  savage,  with   the 


HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  3^1 


scalp  of  the  white  man  upon  his  quiver,  and  the  rifle  of  his  victim 
on  his  arm,  laid  himself  down  to  rest  beneath  the  covert  of  the 
grove.  But  now  all  these  things  are  numbered  with  the  past. 
They  are  gone — gone  forever,  never  to  return.  In  their  place 
bright  fields  of  ripening  wheat  and  waving  corn  are  glistening  in 
the  gentle  breeze.  This  tall  corn,  that  springs  up  annually,  is 
memorial  of  its  predecessor,  that  tall  grass  that  once  grew  on  this 
same  prairie.  The  Osage  hedge  marks  the  long  lines  of  darker 
green  beside  the  waving  corn  and  yellow  wheatfield,  and  encloses 
two  full  sections  of  as  rich  rolling  prairie  as  ever  drank  in  the  rays 
of  the  rising  sun.  When  it  was  first  entered  it  cost  but  a  trifle.  It 
is  now  a  princely  fortune.  Everything  on  the  premises  indicates 
industry  and  thrift.  This  old  gateway  has  been  standing  here 
from  the  first. 

The  private  wagon  road  leading  up  past  the  house  is  skirted  on 
both  sides  by  cultivated  trees.  The  house  itself,  with  its  substan- 
tial walls  and  snug  rooms,  its  immense  yard  and  large  back  garden, 
its  spacious  barns  and  numerous  out-houses,  stationed  here  and 
there  in  the  rear,  might  be  a  suitable  residence  for  a  king,  provided 
that  king  had  the  heart  of  our  pioneer. 

For  a  quarter  of  a  century  the  man  now  aged  has  been  toiling 
for  generations  yet  to  come.  It  was  not  for  himself.  This  he 
knew  all  the  time.  Nor  was  he  certain  that  his  own  children 
would  enter  upon  his  labors.  They,  like  those  he  left  behind, 
might  be  laid  low  by  the  hand  of  death.  Would  he  therefore  remit 
his  toil  ?  No !  This  was  the  mission  on  which  he  came.  His  was 
the  heart  of  the  true  pioneer.  In  his  early  day  he  has  seen  the 
wild  prairie  become  a  garden.  He  has  himself  reared  the  log 
school-house  upon  his  farm.  He  has  invited  teachers  from  the 
land  of  his  birth.  When  there  were  few  to  help  he  paid  them 
from  his  own  purse,  and  fed  them  bountifully  at  his  own  board. 

Here,  too,  within  this  cabin  was  that  other  pioneer  welcomed, 
who,  single-handed  and  alone,  came  here  through  many  perils,  to 
proclaim  messages  of  divine  love;  and  many  of  his  successors  have 
found  a  home  and  a  resting  place  within  these  walls.  Many  ser- 
mons that  burned  with  fervor,  have  been  preached  in  the  grove 
beyond  the  house.  How  many  souls  saved,  or  how  much  good 
done  within  the  precincts  of  this  lowly  cottage,  the  angels  them- 
selves may  never  know.  But  we  may  look  down  the  vista  of 
time's  river  and  see  other  pioneers  who  received  their  first  impul- 


352 


Ills  lnin    OF    M  W  '\    COUNTS 


ses  and  baptism. in  this  grove,  and  within  this  humble  domicil.  A 
few  to-day  arc  thus  the  host  of  to-morrow.  From  the  first  to  the 
last  of  his  weary  years  there  lias  been  in  his  life  and  his  labor-,  and 
especially  will  there  appear  in  these  last  results* a  lofty  and  living 
example  of  true  sublimity.  Speechless  be  that  tongue,  withered 
be  the  ungrateful  heart,  that  does  not,  when  occasion  offers,  respect 
the  character  and  bless  the  memory  of  the  old  and  honorable 
pioneer. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 
977  355C64C  C001 

CENTENNIAL  HISTORY  OF  MASON  COUNTY.  INCL 


3  0112  025393064 


i 


